Pep Guardiola’s side had almost 70% possession of the first half at the Santiago Bernabeu but fell behind to a great strike from Vinicius Junior.
While the possession stats dropped to 58% by full-time, City found a second-half equaliser with a brilliant hit from Kevin De Bruyne to take the game back to the Etihad Stadium all-square.
With the game tantalisingly poised at 1-1, Rodrigo says the current Champions League holders are a big threat in attack.
“Real Madrid are a team that need nothing to score a goal,” the City midfielder said. “They just need three passes.
“That’s why sometimes we just kept the ball as we were expecting counter-attacks and we tried to control the game. It’s the highest level in Europe – they have top players.”
Team-mate Erling Haaland was closely watched by Madrid defenders Antonio Rudiger and David Alaba after his remarkable 51-goal season but still had two attempts at Madrid’s goal.
However, Rodrigo believes that City have to find a better way of getting the striker more involved.
“We didn’t find him a lot – he was well covered by the centre-backs,” the Spaniard added. “The space wasn’t there.
“We have to find more space and change the dynamic of the situations when we break the lines.
“It’s not easy because they defend very narrow, and don’t allow you to go on the outside. We have to improve that for the next game.”
Victory at the Etihad Stadium would secure a place in the Champions League final for the second time in three years and Rodrigo called on the fans to help grab a spot in Istanbul.
“We have a massive game at home,” he said. “We will need our people and everything to try to get to the final.
“With the help of the people, we can do it and we have to believe in ourselves.”
