Rodri embraces Clasico challenge
The 30-year-old midfielder is preparing for his maiden Clasico after swapping Manchester City for Catalonia this summer. While Barcelona boast a flawless LaLiga record, Real Madrid have already suffered two domestic defeats.
Despite the contrasting league form, the World Cup-winning Spain captain is acutely aware of the threat posed by their fierce rivals. The fixture holds extra significance for the veteran, who was heavily linked with a move to the Spanish capital before ultimately choosing Barcelona.
Madrid's deceptive form
Getty ImagesSpeaking to ESPN, Rodri urged caution and stressed that Madrid excel at lulling teams into a false sense of security. "I've played in plenty of knockout ties against them and I realise that one of their great strengths is making their opponents think they aren't that good," he said. "They don't fool us - or at least they don't fool me. Real Madrid are always a formidable opponent, whatever form they're in."
The former City star also highlighted his personal excitement ahead of Sunday's showdown. "I've watched it loads of times on the television, as a fan when I was little, and as I've grown up, I've followed both teams," he added. "It's always a special match to play in, whether you're on one side or the other, so I'm really happy."
Addressing his wider impact since arriving in Spain, Rodri pinpointed his veteran presence as a key asset. "I think the main thing I bring to this team is my experience, that leadership role, organising my team-mates and instilling a positive mindset in them," he said.
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Keeping feet firmly on the ground
Barcelona are chasing a third consecutive La Liga crown, but the dressing room is refusing to get carried away by their early advantage. Teenage defender Pau Cubarsi acknowledged the points gap but insisted focus must remain absolute, telling ESPN: "It is a very big gap, but La Liga is a long season... anything can change at any moment in La Liga, and we have to maintain our momentum."
Fellow midfielder Gavi echoed that sentiment, noting that a lead can vanish in just "two or three matches." Meanwhile, Barcelona forward Anthony Gordon dismissed the notion of an outright favourite, stating: "I think favourites go out the window in these kind of games. I think it can go either way because there's so much tension, there's so much competition and the level on show, any player can decide the game like this."
Rodri himself downplayed the pressure of defending the league title, arguing that the club's primary goal is organic progression. "It's clear that the perception must be that the club, both as an institution and as a team, is better than it was last year," he noted. "That's why we don't set ourselves targets like winning LaLiga or the Champions League."
Bouncing back on the biggest stage
IMAGOSunday's blockbuster clash offers Barcelona the perfect platform to respond after suffering their first setback of the campaign. A 4-2 Champions League defeat against Paris Saint-Germain in midweek abruptly halted an impressive 11-match winning streak.
Securing maximum points against Madrid would not only re-establish their winning momentum but also strike a significant psychological blow in the title race. However, as Rodri noted, the outcome will likely hinge on fine margins and emotional control.