Rodri Says Barcelona Must Prioritize Solidity Over Style to Win in Europe
Rodri, the new midfield signing for Barcelona, has openly discussed the club's chances in the Champions League. He emphasized that tactical discipline matters more than flair if the Catalan giants want to claim European glory again. Having recently joined from Manchester City, Rodri sees the squad as capable but not yet complete, urging the team to learn from past setbacks to end their long wait for continental success.
Realistic European Ambitions
Since arriving at Camp Nou, Rodri has quickly become central to Hansi Flick's revamped side. The 30-year-old brings a wealth of experience from his trophy-filled seven years in England, including four Premier League titles and leading Manchester City to their first Champions League win. Despite the excitement around his transfer, he remains grounded about the primary goal: breaking a 12-year drought without a European title.
"Yes, I see that winning it is possible. It’s that small step we still need to take to prove ourselves in Europe. But I don’t think we’re favorites yet. We must understand where we come from and what it takes to be champions. This team still needs to improve many things," said Rodri.
Tactical Maturity Holds the Key
Rodri’s views come from his time under Pep Guardiola, where he famously ended City's European curse by scoring the decisive goal against Inter Milan in the 2023 final. While Barcelona have won five European Cups, their last triumph was in 2014-15. Since then, reaching the semi-finals twice (2018-19 and 2024-25) has been their best showing. Rodri believes Barcelona has the talent to compete with Europe's best but lacks the specific experience required to handle the intense pressure of knockout rounds.
"Players like me come partly to grow and contribute something important to winning titles as unique as the Champions League. It’s not just about being the best; it’s a tournament of moments and understanding those moments. That’s the edge this team still needs," Rodri explained. "If you ask me if we have chances, that’s why I came here."
Learning From Defensive Mistakes
Barcelona’s recent Champions League campaigns have been hurt by defensive lapses and critical errors, like last season’s quarter-final loss to Atletico Madrid where a red card for Pau Cubarsi proved costly. Rodri was questioned about how they can avoid repeating those mistakes.
"It’s about controlling those key moments that decide ties—red cards, penalties, and minimizing goals conceded. These factors determine if you progress or not. So, it’s better to be less flashy offensively but more consistent and solid," he noted.
Experience Shapes Success
Despite a strong start to the current season, with five consecutive La Liga wins and a 5-1 victory over Feyenoord in their Champions League opener, Rodri insists the team is still learning. Past defeats provide lessons that can build a foundation for future European triumphs.
"Teams that have won show that experience is the difference. We have room to improve, and that improvement comes with experience. I’ve said before that before you win, you often lose and learn. I played many Champions League matches before winning it, so I understand this process," Rodri reflected. "Players gain knowledge year after year."
- Match: Barcelona vs Racing Santander
- Date: 16 Sept 2026
- Time: 22:30
