Manchester City suffered a 2-1 defeat to Brighton, raising concerns about the team’s overall performance. Despite Rodri‘s impactful presence in midfield for the first hour, the team collapsed in the final half-hour, leading to their second consecutive defeat. Rodri himself acknowledges that his return alone cannot fix the issues, emphasizing the need for a collective team effort to regain their form. The recent loss highlights the importance of addressing individual errors and improving the team’s overall mentality.
Rodri emphasizes team effort for Manchester City to regain form
Rodri’s return to the team is a boost, but he insists that one player cannot single-handedly solve Manchester City’s problems. He stated that regaining their winning form requires a collective effort from the entire squad. Rodri stressed that he is “not Messi” and that past successes were built on teamwork, further stating that everyone needs to be at their best.
In an interview on Man City.com, Rodri said, “I’m not Messi. I’m not going to come back and make the team win and win. This is a collective, when we won in the past, I needed all my teammates.” He further added, “For sure I have to recover and find my best level. It’s not because I’m back we’re going to win. It’s a collective sport. Hopefully after the break we can come back much better.”
Costly mistakes hinder Man City performance against Brighton
Rodri’s presence could not prevent individual errors that contributed to Brighton’s goals. Matheus Nunes‘ handball led to a penalty, while mistakes from John Stones and Ruben Dias allowed Brighton’s attack to score the winning goal. These errors highlight a fragility within the team, where setbacks lead to a collapse. As a result, Rodri emphasized that these issues must be addressed collectively.
Manchester City midfielder calls for improved mentality and reduced errors
Rodri pinpointed costly mistakes as a significant factor in the defeat, calling them “kids mistakes.” He urged the team to raise their level and eradicate these errors to compete for the Premier League title. Rodri wants the team to use the international break to reset mentally and return stronger. He stated, “Today we should win because the two goals we conceded are two mistakes.”
Rodri further commented, “Some of the mistakes are like kids mistakes. This is football. When we lose it is easy to point at everyone. The reality is we have to raise the level if we want to compete for the Premier League.”
Manchester City’s early-season struggles stem from costly mistakes, and addressing these issues will be crucial for a swift return to their best. The season is still young, providing ample time for Pep Guardiola and his team to make necessary corrections. The challenge ahead requires a unified approach, with every player contributing to the solution.
