'I need a rest!' - Rodri sends message to Pep Guardiola after rusty performance against Real Madrid as Man City star clings on to incredible unbeaten run

Rodri was one of City's weakest performers in the heart-stopping 3-3 draw at the Santiago Bernabeu in the Champions League quarter-final first leg. The Spaniard was unable to bring his usual sense of control in midfield amid a chaotic and enthralling match and was showing signs of tiredness amid a relentless schedule of matches. And he admitted that he might benefit from sitting the odd game out.

"I do need a rest, let's see how we deal with the situation," Rodri told reporters after the epic quarter-final first leg. "Sometimes I need to adjust but it is what it is."

Rodri has missed just four matches for City this season and they have lost all of them. His red card against Nottingham Forest in September saw him banned for the Carabao Cup tie at Newcastle and the league games at Wolves and Arsenal. He earned another suspension in December for the visit to Aston Villa, which was City's last defeat. Rodri won City the Champions League final last season against Inter Milan and has been just as impressive this season, dominating games while scoring eight goals and providing 10 assists in all competitions.

The draw with Madrid saw Rodri maintain his astonishing unbeaten record for club and country, which has stretched to more than a year. He has not been beaten with either City or Spain for 65 matches, with his last defeat coming against Tottenham on February 5, 2023.

Rodri could be rested for City's next Premier League game at home to relegation-fighting Luton Town on Saturday. Even given City's awful record without their midfield lynchpin, they would still expect to beat Luton in his absent and it would make him fresher for the second leg against Madrid at the Etihad Stadium next Wednesday. And Rodri is confident his side can get the job done against Madrid back on home turf, where they have not lost since November 2022. He added: "We have a draw, the same result as last season [when City draw 1-1 at Madrid before thrashing them 4-0 in the second leg]. Now we go back to Manchester and our home, we know how strong we are there."