Rodri Stresses Solidity Over Style for Barcelona’s European Quest

Rodri, Barcelona’s recent signing, has given a frank view on the club’s Champions League prospects, stressing that tactical discipline must overshadow flair if the team wants to succeed in Europe. The Spanish midfielder acknowledges the squad's potential but insists there is still work to do to turn them into champions again.

European Ambitions and Reality Check

After joining Barcelona from Manchester City, where he enjoyed a successful seven-year run including four Premier League titles and the club’s first-ever Champions League trophy, Rodri has quickly become central to coach Hansi Flick’s plans. Despite the enthusiasm among fans, he remains realistic about the challenge of ending the Catalans’ 12-year wait for European glory.

"Yes, evidently I see that it is a feasible title and it is, so to speak, that little step we have left to consolidate and show Europe the team we are. Beyond that, I don’t think we’re favorites. We have to understand where we’ve come from, we have to understand what it takes to be champions, and this team still needs to refine several things to become champions," said Rodri in an interview with Mundo Deportivo.

The Need for Tactical Maturity

Rodri’s experience under Pep Guardiola at City shapes his view, especially having broken their European curse by scoring the winning goal in the 2023 final against Inter. While Barcelona have won five European titles, their last success was in 2014-15, with semi-final appearances in 2018-19 and 2024-25 as their closest attempts since then. According to Rodri, the team has the talent to compete with Europe's best but lacks the crucial experience for knockout-stage challenges.

"Players like me come a little bit for that too, to grow and give the team part that I think is important to win titles as peculiar as the Champions League, because I think that the Champions League is not a tournament of who is the best, it is a tournament of moments and of understanding what those moments are and I think that’s perhaps the margin this team has left. Now, if you ask me if there are any chances, that’s why I came here," he explained.

Learning from Past Mistakes

Barcelona’s recent Champions League exits have often involved defensive breakdowns and costly errors. Last season’s quarter-final loss to Atletico Madrid, marked by a 2-0 home defeat following a red card to Pau Cubarsi, is a prime example. When asked about avoiding similar mistakes, Rodri highlighted the importance of controlling decisive moments in matches.

"It’s a bit of what you say, they are controlling those moments that are differential for a tie, when the important ties come. The red cards, the penalties, the perhaps not conceding more than what is necessary. All those are things that determine whether you pass or you don’t pass. So, it’s perhaps more valuable to be less offensively prolific and more consistent and solid," he stated.

Experience as the Ultimate Teacher

Despite a strong start to the season with Barcelona winning their first five La Liga games and scoring 21 goals, plus a commanding 5-1 victory over Feyenoord in their Champions League opener, Rodri believes the team is still growing. He thinks past setbacks will serve as lessons that build long-term success.

"And the teams that have been able to win have shown you that, so it is the margin we have for improvement and I am sure of it. But that’s also linked to experience. I’ve always said that before you win, you have to lose and you have to learn, and those of us who have been able to win important things know that. I’ve played in the Champions League countless times before we were able to win, so I understand that there’s a learning process in that experience, and I understand that the players learn year after year," he concluded.

• Date: 16 Sept 2026
• Match: Barcelona vs Racing Santander
• Competition: LaLiga
• Kickoff Time: 22:30