Rodrygo talks Ancelotti, Guardiola, preferred position, future ahead of Man City vs Real Madrid | OneFootball

Real Madrid will lock horns with Manchester City in a battle of the heavyweights tomorrow night at the Etihad in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League knockout playoffs.

Both teams, considered contenders for the trophy, underperformed in the league phase of the competition and find themselves on the brink of a shock exit even before the knockout stages properly kick off.

Ahead of the blockbuster encounter, Real Madrid forward and long-term Man City target Rodrygo Goes spoke to the media and gave his two cents about the match and various other topics.

Kicking things off, Rodrygo addressed how Real Madrid and Manchester City are set to square off for a fourth consecutive season in the UEFA Champions League, saying:

“It will be just as tough as ever. And especially here. They put a lot of pressure on in the first few minutes… but having the mentality of last season will be key.”

On what his team can expect at the Etihad tomorrow, the Real Madrid forward added: “Almost every team that comes here suffers.

“Because of their characteristics, they have the ball and that can happen tomorrow, but we will look to respond. I’ll do what the coach asks me to do, both in attack and defence.”

Talking about manager Carlo Ancelotti’s insistence on his attackers contributing more defensively, Rodrygo noted:

“The coach spoke to us, yes, and we know how important we are. Those at the back, if they see that we run a lot, they get infected. We understood that. And you could see, for example, that the second half of the derby was better than the first.”

Giving Ancelotti credit for his recent good run of form, he added: “A lot, because he always helps me. It’s a pleasure to work with him, because he always makes me and the team improve.

“My part is to work, to try to bring out the best version of myself and even if sometimes I don’t succeed, I always try. That’s the secret: to always keep working.”

The 24-year-old boasts an impressive record against Man City, having scored some important goals for Real Madrid vs Pep Guardiola’s men. On being asked about his favourite memory from a game against them, Rodrygo replied:

“I was talking about it with Valverde a few days ago, that City were coming again. We were remembering the double and I asked him if we would ever experience something like that again. That was the most special night of my career.

“I don’t know if something like that will happen again, I hope so, but it was the best.”

In recent times, there has been a lot of speculations about Saudi Arabia showing interest in signing Rodrygo, but the forward made it clear that he intends to stay at Real Madrid for many years.

“I don’t know much about offers, that’s my father, who is my agent. I am very happy here. I’m very happy here, I want to stay here for many years and I’m grateful. I don’t know if the club has any offers,” he stated.

Rodrygo wants to stay at Real Madrid for many more years. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

Rodrygo has largely been used on the right flank at Real Madrid even though he clearly prefers operating on the left and has been thriving in the position.

On being asked about the possibility of him starting on the left flank and Vinicius Jr. moving to a central role, the Brazilian remarked:

“We did it last season, because it was what we could do best at the time. But now it’s different. It’s one more question for the manager.”

On what more he can do to convince Ancelotti to stick with him on the left flank, Rodrygo replied:

“(laughs) Nothing, just keep doing my job, left or right. Since I was a kid I’ve always played on the left, I feel I can help a lot there, but what I have to do is keep doing my job. And the coach knows very well where to put me.”

Man City boss Guardiola is a big admirer of Rodrygo and has spoken highly of the forward in the past. Responding to the praise from the Spanish tactician, the Real Madrid ace said:

“Happy, because he is a great coach in the history of football. But I hope everything goes well for Madrid tomorrow.”

On whether he believes he can be decisive in this tie, Rodrygo noted: “Manchester City is an opponent I’ve scored against recently, yes, but it’s always tough. I’m in a very good moment and I feel I can be decisive, but I try to be decisive in every game.

“There are a lot of difficult games and you always have to be there. It will be special, but I always have to be decisive.”

Concluding, he was asked if Man City were his favourite opponent to play against, to which he replied:

“No, no! Because, as I said before, it’s always very difficult to beat them. Nobody likes playing against City, just as nobody likes playing against Madrid. But I’ve been very happy against them… and hopefully tomorrow I’ll be happy again.”

Source: AS