Manchester City midfielder Rodri has revealed how he was so devastated by the Blues’ Champions League collapse last season that he couldn’t even speak to his mum.
Rodri, outstanding as City retained the Premier League trophy, is still bitter about the memory of Madrid’s stunning semi-final fightback in the Bernabeu as Pep Guardiola prepares his squad for another crack at the trophy that continues to elude them.
Real scored twice in the dying minutes to force extra-time - and then went through to meet and beat Liverpool in the final thanks to Karim Benzema’s penalty. And Madrid-born Rodri took it so badly that he could find no words for his family afterwards.
“It is still tough,” said Rodri. “I think it was one of the worst days of my life, because it was in Madrid, in my hometown. And then, after the game, I saw my family, and I couldn't speak.
“Even my mum was there - and I couldn't speak to her, not one word. Football is like this, of course. It's tough and you have to focus on it being just a sport and to try harder next time.
“It's like the coach said: ‘we're going to try next year and next year and next year.’” Rodri added: “One day it is going to happen. But first you need the experience of semi-finals and finals.
“Then it is partly luck. That is going to be with us and we will achieve. I just think about how many times the team arrives in those situations to win.
“The teams who have won it the most - Real Madrid, Bayern Munich – are always in semi-finals and finals. They don’t win it every time but they are there. Now we are starting to build a culture to be there every year.”
Rodri gained some salvation for the Bernabeu heartbreak by helping City win the title for the fourth time in five years after producing their own late show against Aston Villa on the final day.
He swept a sweet 20-yard shot into the bottom corner to bring City level as Guardiola’s side scored three goals in five dramatic minutes after falling 2-0 behind and offering hope to Liverpool.
“It was instinct,” recalled Rodri. “When I had the chance to shoot I was not going to think twice.
“And when I scored we started to think ‘we can do it.’ We felt the third goal would come, fighting for the Premier League, 38 games, you deserve everything but maybe you can lose in the last minute.”
It crowned a fine season for a player who cost City £60million from Atletico Madrid three years ago - and he has just been rewarded with a new five-year contract. It was a shock when he failed to then be named in the PFA team of the year - and even the 26-year-old raised an eyebrow over his omission.
Rodri said: “Honestly, I don’t pay much attention to individual awards because it depends on many things. It did surprise me - but I accepted it. It’s part of the game, part of sport, and I just want to do the same as I did last year because it was incredible.
“For me, the most important thing is collective achievements like the Premier League. The rest is just a secondary part of football. Of course, we all like to win awards but it’s not part of my ambition.”
City have responded to the departure of veteran captain Fernandinho by paying Leeds £42million for Kalvin Phillips.
Rodri insists the pair can play together - but also believes that, at the age of 26, his best years are ahead of him. He added: “It is good for the team to have competition and Kalvin has qualities to improve the team.
“But I also think I can improve. I’m 26 and see myself as getting even better. The first year I came, I adapted to my position and the second year I started growing up.
“The third year I was consolidated in the team - and now I feel that I control all aspects of the game.”
