Rodri insists Barcelona are not Champions League favourites despite summer move

Rodri believes Barcelona are capable of winning the Champions League this season but insists his new club should not be considered favourites for the trophy.

The 30-year-old joined Barcelona from Manchester City during the summer, signing a contract until June 2030 after seven trophy-laden years in England.

Barcelona’s European ambitions formed part of the midfielder’s decision to move to the Camp Nou, but Rodri believes they still have weaknesses to address before they can become champions.

“I definitely see it as a feasible title,” Rodri told Mundo Deportivo when asked whether Barcelona could win the competition. “Beyond that, I don’t think we’re favourites.”

Rodri argued that Barcelona must learn to manage decisive moments more effectively, particularly during knockout matches when individual mistakes can transform an entire tie.

The Spain international specifically highlighted red cards, penalties and unnecessary goals as situations that can determine whether a team progresses.

His assessment carries considerable weight given his own Champions League experience.

Rodri scored the winning goal when Manchester City beat Inter Milan 1-0 in the 2023 final, completing the treble.

He believes that experience taught him the Champions League is not necessarily won by the competition’s most talented team, but by the side best equipped to handle critical moments.

Barcelona experienced that lesson painfully last season.

They were eliminated 3-2 on aggregate by Atletico Madrid in the quarter-finals after Pau Cubarsi was sent off during a 2-0 first-leg defeat before Eric Garcia received another red card in the return fixture.

Rodri suggested Barcelona may sometimes benefit from sacrificing some attacking ambition for greater control and defensive consistency.

The Catalans have nevertheless made an imposing start to their latest European campaign.

Barcelona opened the league phase with a 5-1 victory over Feyenoord, scoring more goals than all but Paris Saint-Germain during the opening round of matches.

They are seeking their first Champions League triumph since 2015, having won La Liga in each of manager Hansi Flick’s first two seasons in charge.

Their summer recruitment of Rodri was designed partly to provide the control and experience required to make the next step in Europe.