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Manchester City should have inflicted more damage on Real Madrid, according to midfielder Rodri.
Pep Guardiola’s side have put themselves in the driving seat to progress from their round-of-16 tie after a 2-1 win in the Bernabeu on Wednesday. Rodri hailed the result and said afterwards it could have been even worse for Zinedine Zidane’s men.
“They dropped in the last 10 minutes, we detected that and if the game had lasted a little longer, we could have done more damage still,” Rodri said. “But given the way the game was it is a very good result for us.
“We showed strength when things went badly and that’s what we have lacked this season. We managed to do something that we have lacked all season which is hold on in the bad moments, have personality, demonstrate that and not lose our shape or control.”
It had looked like Guardiola’s tactical tinkering — Raheem Sterling, David Silva, Fernandinho and Sergio Aguero were left on the bench — might backfire when Isco gave the hosts a second-half lead.
But Gabriel Jesus and a Kevin De Bruyne penalty handed City a historic first victory over Real Madrid, who Rodri claims might have lost their fear factor now Cristiano Ronaldo has departed.
“Of course you can tell [when someone like Ronaldo is not there],” Rodri said. “Those kind of players, of which there are basically two in the world, who tip the balance, you notice when they’re not there. they’re a bit flatter.”
Real Madrid now head to the Etihad Stadium on Mar. 17 needing to win by two clear goals to book their place in the quarterfinals. In the immediate aftermath Guardiola claimed Real Madrid were one of the only teams in the world capable of pulling it off and Rodri was also quick to urge caution.
“It is a good result but it’s not done at all, knowing the opponent we have before us,” Rodri said. “We will approach the game with the greatest seriousness and I am sure they will battle. We know this is open.”