Rodri bounces back from past heartache to seal Man City treble

After Manchester City’s first appearance in the Champions League final two years ago, Rodri endured what he described as "three s*** days."

The three days after the 2023 Champions League final may prove to be far more enjoyable for Manchester City’s match-winner.

Pep Guardiola had made the controversial decision to bench his starting defensive midfielder ahead of the 2021 showpiece against Chelsea. Fernandinho was also left out as City narrowly lost to a single goal from Kai Havertz in Porto.

The setback sent Rodri into a funk which left him unable to talk to friends or family. He made sure he had a word in Guardiola's ear before Saturday's final but there was little danger of another absence for City's most-used player - no other member of the treble winners can match Rodri's 52 starts this term.

Dutch midfielder Mark van Bommel gave a blunt and accurate assessment of Spain’s 1-0 triumph in the 2010 World Cup final: "It wasn’t a nice game of pretty football."

Yet, it was his general wondering afterwards which was definitely more profound: "But which final is?"

City’s victory over Inter on Saturday night by the same scoreline, the final leg of a historic European treble, followed the same pattern.

Inter came into Istanbul with the deepest backline in the Champions League but surprised City with a high press to begin the contest. Rodri, in truth, struggled under the unexpected scrutiny.

As he admitted to BT Sport after the final whistle: "I wasn't good in the first half. I was playing s*** to be honest. And then, these talks about the mentality, I said to myself: 'You have to overcome this situation'."

Rodri's new partner in midfield over recent months fared far better than the Spaniard amid Inter's squeeze. John Stones didn't misplace his first pass of the Champions League final until the 40th minute.

Masterfully taking the ball even under a swarm of black and blue stripes, Stones showed the composure to dribble forward, offering the most progressive threat in a City team that was largely stifled. The so-called Barnsley Beckenbauer was treated to a standing ovation from City’s coaching staff on the bench when he was substituted off in the final ten minutes.

However, it was Rodri's intervention which defined the day. So often it is said that the sign of a great side is to win without playing at their best - well, Rodri won the game without getting anywhere near his top level.

Inter, in fairness, played their role. "It wasn't easy," Rodri acknowledged. "I mean, what a team we faced - unbelievable the way they defend, the way they counter-attack. They deserve also credit because they are a great team."

Shortly after the hour-mark, a lack of communication between Manuel Akanji and Ederson presented Lautaro Martinez with the clearest sniff of goal thus far. The Brazilian keeper closed down the angles for Inter's captain and moments later, Rodri demonstrated exactly how to thread the needle.

Erling Haaland had his hands covering his face as Bernardo Silva's cutback was blocked, lamenting the imminent end of City's most promising attack of the match. Yet the loose ball squirted perfectly into Rodri's stride.

There was barely a whisper of space between Matteo Darmian and Hakan Calhanoglu stood behind one another on Inter's goal line but Rodri located what little pocket of fresh air existed, bending a crisp shot into the bottom corner.

Had Ederson not produced a pair of miraculous stops right at the death - and if Romelu Lukaku had not been labouring under a hex - Rodri may not have been on the pitch for much longer. "If we go to extra time I couldn't play," he panted in the post-match interview. "My calves were in the head."

Guardiola made sure that he was on the pitch from the first whistle on Saturday night. Rodri - eventually - vindicated his inclusion.

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