The Spanish midfielder is approaching the second leg at the Etihad Stadium with a mixture of respect and confidence and feels City are well equipped to reach the quarter-finals.
However, the boyhood Atletico Madrid fan acknowledges anything less than our best will not be enough against the 13-time winners of club football’s biggest prize.
Rodrigo’s positivity stems from the 2-1 first leg win at the Santiago Bernabeu in February, widely regarded as one of the Club’s finest European performances, and he feels we’ll have to reach a similar level at home.
“I am really confident,” he said.
“They are a great team and they can beat you, because they are Real Madrid, but we have to show them we are a better team.
“We showed them at their home, but we need to be ready because you never know what is going to happen. We have to be focused.
“They are the greatest team in La Liga and they have shown that this year. We need to do our best to get to the next round.”
The 24-year-old has featured in each of City’s games since football resumed in June and with competition for places high, admits the conclusion of the league campaign felt like an audition for the crucial game against Madrid.
Two players he has been particularly impressed with are Eric Garcia and Phil Foden, both of whom have proved their credentials at first team level this season.
But what most excites Rodrigo, is how they might develop over the coming years.
“I know the talent Phil has and what he can give to the team,” added the midfielder.
“Eric came from the Academy and he has proven he can be a centre-back in this team.
“It’s good news for us that those players are growing because they will be very important.
“The good thing is they are so young and they have lots of progression. That is the greatest thing you can say about them.
“They are showing this level and they are only 20-years-old. When they get to 25 or 26 I think they can be top level.”
