Rodri sees the upcoming UEFA Super Cup match on Wednesday as an opportunity to further establish Manchester City’s presence in European football. This comes after their recent victory in the Champions League, marking their first title in that competition. The Spanish midfielder was instrumental in City’s success against Inter Milan, clinching a 1-0 win in Istanbul.
Facing Sevilla in Athens, City aims for yet another European title, even though the Spanish team secured their seventh Europa League victory in May. Rodri, who previously won the Super Cup with Atletico Madrid in 2018, expressed the team’s hunger for success and their determination to win every trophy.
Unfortunately, City will be missing key players due to injuries and illness, including Kevin De Bruyne, Ruben Dias, and Bernardo Silva. Despite these challenges, Pep Guardiola emphasized the honor of participating in the Super Cup and the team’s eagerness to compete.
Guardiola acknowledged that the Super Cup has eluded City in the past due to the requirement of winning the Champions League or Europa League. Winning the Champions League last season marked Guardiola’s third title in the competition as a coach.
City’s path to Champions League victory started with a win against Sevilla, who faced difficulties in their domestic season but excelled in the Europa League. Their manager, Jose Luis Mendilibar, expressed his team’s ambition to win against City, emphasizing that football matches can turn on a single moment.
Erling Haaland, a City striker, has previously performed well against Sevilla, scoring six times in three meetings. Despite City’s dominance in previous encounters, Mendilibar believes his team can deliver an upset, as even top teams can have off days in football.
The match represents an opportunity for City to continue their success in Europe and further establish their standing on the continent.