Rodri calls for clear minds following Brighton setback | OneFootball

Rodri has urged City's players to clear their minds from the disappointment of the 2-1 Premier League defeat against Brighton and return stronger from the international break.

The Spaniard made his first start for City since last September and played the entire 90 minutes at the Amex Stadium.

Erling Haaland coolly slotted us ahead after 34 minutes on his 100th top-flight appearance, but the hosts took control of proceedings after the interval, earning the three points after goals from substitutes James Milner and Brajan Gruda.

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Several players from Pep Guardiola's squad will now jet off to represent their nations across the globe and Rodri believes the team need to look at themselves, clear their minds, and return to Manchester stronger.

"It's disappointing because we’re Man City and we come here to win. But this is the reality, we are not at the level for a long, long time," he declared.

"The only way to come back is to look at ourselves. That’s the reality.

"I think we started well but in the second half we dropped a little bit, and here at their home with the pressure and two big mistakes from us and then 2-1.

"We’re missing the level, I don’t know, call it what you want. It’s a matter of the team, changes, new players have to adapt and when you change the team that much it is difficult. This is our reality, it’s not excuses.

"I don’t think we had control of the game. I don’t think we were at our best, we didn’t create much. It’s many aspects. Today we should win because the two goals we conceded are two mistakes. 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.

"We have to look to ourselves and see that this is not the way to achieve things. Let’s go to the international break, clean our minds and come back stronger."

Rodri was awarded the prestigious Ballon d'Or award last October but after missing almost a full season with an ACL injury, he has been gradually phased back into first-team action by Guardiola.

His start and subsequent full-match display is a big boost for the team but the 29-year-old believes his return alone is not sufficient to turn around our fortunes.

"I’m not Messi. I’m not going to come back and make the team win and win," he said. This is a collective, when we won in the past, I needed all my teammates.

"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."