Rodri believes that Manchester City must focus on themselves — and not the poor form of their opponents — if they want to get their Champions League campaign off to a winning start.
City will take on Sevilla at the Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan in Seville on Tuesday evening in their first group stage match of this season's Champions League. The Blues have gone agonisingly close to winning the competition over the past two seasons, and will face a tough assignment in their first outing.
Sevilla are the second highest ranked team in Group G after City, their six Europa League triumphs since 2006 earning them significant pedigree on the continental stage. Borussia Dortmund and FC Copenhagen make up the rest of the group.
READ MORE: Every word Pep Guardiola said ahead of Sevilla vs Man City
However, Sevilla have endured a tough start to the new La Liga season, losing three and drawing one of their opening four games. Their last match was a 3-0 home loss to Barcelona, but City midfielder Rodri does not believe their is an ideal time to face a team of Sevilla's standing.
"I don't think any situation [to face Sevilla] is ideal," he said. "It is true they have not collected the results they wanted in La Liga but I saw their match against Barcelona and they played well. At home they can hurt you. We will be on high alert because we know it will be a very demanding game. Sevilla have a great squad and we will have to be good to beat them.
"They have great manager — he works really well — and Sevilla have great players, it’s true a few players have left but they are always a competitive team, especially at home. They will be attacking all the time, they have players to do that and they will. This is the first match of group stage and it’s important to start well."
When asked what exactly City need to do tonight, Rodri was clear.
He added: "Keep doing what we have been doing — playing our own football. We have to impose our style. To play an abrasive team like Sevilla, we have to be at our best and focus on ourselves. They have their weapons. We are looking tactically at how to approach them."
ALSO READ:
