Rodrygo Goes, the Brazilian forward of Real Madrid, shared on Monday during a press conference how his coach, Carlo Ancelotti, has emphasized the importance of collective defense, especially from the attacking players, to motivate the team to improve in every aspect of the game.

"The boss spoke to us. We’ve seen the importance of being a reference for others. If the players at the back see that the ones up front are running, they’ll understand that we’re defending," explained Rodrygo ahead of the first leg of the Champions League round of 16 tie against Manchester City, which will be played on Tuesday at the Etihad Stadium.

This defensive approach was crucial for the team’s turnaround in the second half of their recent match against Atlético Madrid last Saturday.

Winning Mentality for the City Clash

Rodrygo also highlighted that the mentality Real Madrid showed last season in Manchester to qualify for the Champions League semifinals will be crucial for a positive result on Tuesday. Despite the Manchester City’s renowned ball dominance, Rodrygo is confident that Real Madrid has the quality to control the game. He acknowledged that playing at the Etihad is a challenge due to the intense pressure Pep Guardiola’s side puts on from the start of plays.

Commitment to Real Madrid

Regarding his future, Rodrygo reiterated his desire to stay at Real Madrid long-term. He clarified that matters related to potential offers from Saudi Arabia are managed by his father, who also serves as his agent, and emphasized that his main goal is to continue being decisive for the team.

"Right now, I’m in a very good moment. I can be decisive and help my team, but I try to be decisive in every game, not just against City," he concluded.