Rodri Says Barcelona Aren't Champions League Favorites, Highlights What’s Missing for European Success
Rodri Talks Barcelona's Champions League Prospects and What Needs Fixing
Rodri, who recently joined Barcelona from Manchester City, is making an immediate mark in midfield. Still, he keeps the team's European ambitions realistic despite their strong performance in La Liga. The Spain captain says Barcelona still has work to do before they can win the Champions League again.
Barcelona’s Challenge in Europe
Even though Barcelona has claimed consecutive La Liga titles, their success hasn’t yet extended to Europe. The club is eager to end a 12-year wait for a Champions League trophy. This goal partly motivated them to sign 30-year-old Rodri this summer.
Rodri has become a key player in the Blaugrana midfield right away. Yet, in an interview with Mundo Deportivo, he offered a cautious view of where the club stands among Europe’s top teams.
Rodri Lowers Expectations for Immediate Triumph
He acknowledges the squad’s great potential but insists they are not the favorites to win the Champions League right now. Rodri said, "The Champions League is achievable, but I don’t think we’re favourites. Obviously, I see it as a realistic title for us. It’s that final step we need to take to establish ourselves and show Europe what kind of team we are."
The midfielder also pointed out that talent alone isn’t enough to claim such a unique prize. He added, "You have to understand where we’re coming from and what it takes to become champions. This team still needs to polish several things to win it. Players like me have come here partly for that, to help the team grow and provide something important when it comes to winning titles as unique as the Champions League."
Handling Crucial Moments
Barcelona’s recent exits in Europe have often been chaotic, with defensive mistakes and disciplinary errors costing them against teams like Inter and Atletico Madrid. Rodri stressed that understanding key moments is vital for advancing further.
He said, "I don’t think the Champions League is a tournament where the best team necessarily wins. It’s a tournament of moments, and understanding those moments is perhaps the area where this team still has room to improve. But if you ask me whether we have a chance, that’s why I came here."
On tactics, Rodri emphasized pragmatism over flashy offense. "It’s about controlling those moments that make the difference in a tie, especially in the knockout rounds. Red cards, penalties, maybe not conceding more than you should. All of those things determine whether you go through or go out."
He also observed, "Perhaps it’s better not to be quite as good offensively but to be more consistent and solid. The teams that have won it have shown that. That’s where we have room to improve, and I’m sure we will."
Lessons from Past Defeats
Looking ahead, Barcelona must turn past European heartbreaks into lessons as they head into this season’s knockout stages. Rodri, who endured many Champions League campaigns before finally winning it in England, believes learning from losses is necessary.
He explained, "That also comes with experience. I’ve always said before you win, you have to lose and learn. Those of us who have won big trophies know that. I’ve played in countless Champions League campaigns before we finally won it."
Rodri concluded, "There’s a learning process in that experience. Players grow year after year." Barcelona hopes to apply this hard-won wisdom as they aim to restore their status among Europe’s elite.
- Event: La Liga Match
- Date: 16 Sept 2026
- Time: 22:30
- Fixture: Racing Santander vs Barcelona
