Manchester City are “ready” to pass their last “exam” in the Champions League final against Inter Milan, says midfielder Rodri.
Following Saturday’s FA Cup final victory against rivals Manchester United, Pep Guardiola’s Premier League champions are now just one win away from completing the Treble.
After weeks of evading questions about that possibility, insisting it was all about the next game, emulating the Red Devils in 1999 by becoming the second English side to win all three major trophies in a single season is all that is left.
Before the players’ private celebration party and flight back to Manchester, where they were greeted on the tarmac by Elton John, they passed through the interview area at Wembley. Speaking to them, it was like a dam had burst.
“Pep said you will not be ‘big, big’ if you don’t win in Europe,” said Rodri. “It’s the exam we have to pass again.
“It’s another final and we are ready. I’m going to push the guys to be ourselves, be confident, try our best and fight for the final.”
Living up to their tag as heavy favourites by beating Inter in Istanbul would complete the European odyssey that has been the dream of the Abu Dhabi-based owners since they bought City in 2008.
Rodri says the game-by-game mentality is real – but, with just one match left of what promises to be an extraordinary campaign, the sole focus is Inter.
“We have not been focusing on it too much but of course it is there, something we dream about,” he added. “Inter are a tough team, with five at the back.
“They are in the final too.”
