City have established a fine record in the Champions League under the tenure of Pep Guardiola, having reached a first ever final in 2021 and progressing through to the semi-finals last term.
But now comes a new challenge with City handed a tough first match away at the Estadio Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán.
It marks the start of an intensive period with matches coming every three days between now and the winter break for the 2022 World Cup finals in mid November.
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As such, Rodri says its imperative City seek to kick off our European campaign on the front foot – and given such a demanding schedule, he says that every member of Guardiola’s squad will have an important role to play.
“This is the first match of group stage and it’s important to start well,” Rodri declared.
“They have great manager - Julen Lopetegui works really well - and Sevilla have great players, it’s true a few players have left but they are always a competitive team, especially at home.
“They will be attacking all the time - they have players to do that and they will.
“When you finish a season, you just see the things you did good, the things you can improve and move on
“We did a lot of last season in good terms. We did not arrive in the final of Champions League or the FA Cup but we won the Premier League, which is massive for us.
“We now have new targets and we adapt to the new things the coach wants, the new players and things will be different this season because of the World Cup.
“Playing every three days is normal for us. I don’t know if it is the best for the players and it’s impossible to use just 11 players.
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“We need to start this run of playing every three days and try to balance all the games, give everything and get everyone involved because everyone will be important.”
Sevilla will go into Tuesday’s match still seeking a first win of the season in La Liga.
However, Rodrigo knows enough about their quality to insist that Lopetegui’s side possess potent weapons capable of hurting the opposition if they are allowed to express themselves.
“It is true they have not collected the results they wanted in the La Liga but I saw their match against Barcelona and they played well,” Rodrigo added.
“At home they can hurt you. We will be on high alert because we know it will be a very demanding game. Sevilla have a great squad and we will have to be good to beat them.
“Sevilla haven’t had the results they want but they are a good squad and that’s what we are looking at.
“We need to keep doing what we have been doing - playing our own football.
“We have to impose our style. To play an abrasive team like Sevilla, we have to be at our best and focus on ourselves. They have their weapons. We are looking tactically at how to approach them.”
Three City games will be broadcast on BT Sport in the UK over the next month, including our Champions League games against Borussia Dortmund and FC Copenhagen. To sign up for a 30-day BT Sport Monthly Pass for £25, click here
