Why Spain star Rodri is (almost) invincible

In the last game of the club’s season, something happened that many observers had no longer thought possible. Spanish midfielder Rodri of the English Premier League club Manchester City lost a game. Rodri had previously been suspended for the club’s three defeats in its fourth consecutive championship season. He was not in the squad for the League Cup defeat against Newcastle United. The defeat against Arsenal in the English Super Cup and the Champions League semi-final defeat against Real Madrid came about on penalties. According to international scoring, such games are counted as draws.

In his last game of the season with Manchester City in the FA Cup final against Manchester United, Rodri suffered an undoubted defeat – the event was lost 1:2. For mere mortals, this was good news: the seemingly invincible can still lose.

Rodri plays a key role in ManCity’s title streak

Rodri is a key player at Manchester City, has played a key role in their title-winning run and was personally responsible for realising the vision of the club’s owners from Abu Dhabi. Last year, the defensive midfielder fired the club to its long-awaited Champions League triumph with the 1-0 winner in the final against Inter Milan.

Rodri and Spain are also among the favourites at the European Championships. The round of 16 this Sunday (9pm, ARD and Magenta TV) against Georgia seems like a must. In the quarter-finals, the Spanish could then face Germany.

Rodri is a special player, the best in the world in his position and yet always a little under the radar. He is no Cristiano Ronaldo, no Harry Kane, no Erling Haaland, no one who stands out with spectacular actions or an intoxicating goal rate. New York Times wrote in March, “Rodri’s genius does not lie in making things happen. He is used to prevent them.” The 28-year-old midfielder’s job at club and national team is to stand guard in front of the defense and thereby prevent dangerous moves by the opposition. He also gives structure and order to the game.

He has made the most passes for the Spanish team at the European Championships so far, despite missing the third group match against Albania due to a yellow card suspension. If you look at his statistics, you’ll notice that Rodri makes more passes, sets up more shots and scores more goals than most players in his position.

In Spain’s national team, he keeps the backs of the whirlwinders free

Rodri’s role in the national team and at Manchester City is to act as a kind of quarterback to cover the backs of the attacking players. He is therefore often compared to Sergio Busquets, the pacesetter in the Spanish midfield during the 2010 World Cup title and the 2012 European Championship win. The comparison is obvious, but Rodri is more than just a defensive midfielder – he is also a threat to the opposition. In the past Premier League season he scored eight goals and provided nine assists.

At the European Championship, Rodri is at the heart of a Spanish team that has changed its style of play. At the start of the tournament against Croatia, the Spaniards had less possession than their opponents for the first time since 2008 – and still won 3-0. Coach Luis de la Fuente, who took office after the 2022 World Cup, has shifted priorities. Under him, the former Spanish passing masters are looking for the direct route to the goal. Key player of the new Spain – the (almost) invincible Rodri.