Rodri Emphasizes Solidity Over Style for Barcelona’s European Quest

Rodri on Barcelona's Champions League Ambitions

Rodri, the new signing for Barcelona, has shared his thoughts on the club’s chances in the Champions League, stressing the need for tactical discipline instead of relying on flair. The Spanish midfielder believes the team is prepared to compete but acknowledges that they still have work ahead to reclaim European glory.

Facing the Reality of European Competition

After joining Barcelona from Manchester City this summer, Rodri has quickly become a key figure under coach Hansi Flick. At 30 years old, he arrives with an impressive resume including four Premier League titles and a Champions League win, where he scored the decisive goal for City in 2023. Despite the excitement from fans, Rodri remains grounded about the club’s goal of ending a 12-year wait for European success.

"Yes, evidently I see that it is a feasible title and it is, so to speak, that little step we have left to consolidate and show Europe the team we are. Beyond that, I don’t think we’re favorites. We have to understand where we’ve come from, we have to understand what it takes to be champions, and this team still needs to refine several things to become champions," Rodri explained.

The Need for Tactical Maturity

Rodri’s outlook is influenced by his experience under Pep Guardiola, where he helped break City's European drought. Although Barcelona have five European titles, they haven't reached a final since 2015, with semi-final appearances being their best recent achievements. Rodri thinks the squad has the talent but lacks the crucial experience to handle the pressure of knockout stages.

"Players like me come a little bit for that too, to grow and give the team part that I think is important to win titles as peculiar as the Champions League, because I think that the Champions League is not a tournament of who is the best, it is a tournament of moments and of understanding what those moments are and I think that’s perhaps the margin this team has left. Now, if you ask me if there are any chances, that’s why I came here."

Learning From Past Mistakes

Barcelona's recent Champions League runs have been plagued by defensive lapses and costly errors, like their quarter-final loss to Atletico Madrid last season which included a critical red card for Pau Cubarsi. When asked about avoiding similar mistakes, Rodri emphasized controlling key moments in matches.

"It’s a bit of what you say, they are controlling those moments that are differential for a tie, when the important ties come. The red cards, the penalties, the perhaps not conceding more than what is necessary. All those are things that determine whether you pass or you don’t pass. So, it’s perhaps more valuable to be less offensively prolific and more consistent and solid."

Experience as a Teacher

The current Barcelona squad is enjoying a strong start to the season, winning their first five La Liga games with 21 goals scored, and dominating Feyenoord 5-1 in their Champions League opener. Yet Rodri sees these early successes as part of a learning process essential for lasting European triumph.

"And the teams that have been able to win have shown you that, so it is the margin we have for improvement and I am sure of it. But that’s also linked to experience. I’ve always said that before you win, you have to lose and you have to learn, and those of us who have been able to win important things know that. I’ve played in the Champions League countless times before we were able to win, so I understand that there’s a learning process in that experience, and I understand that the players learn year after year."