‘I need a rest’ – Man City’s Rodri ahead of season climax

Rodri has admitted that Manchester City‘s relentless schedule in pursuit of a second straight treble of major trophies has taken a toll on him.

“Every one of us can do better, even myself, but we need to rest to be honest,” Rodri said after City’s 3-3 draw with Real Madrid in the first-leg of their Champions League quarterfinal. “I do. I do need a rest.”

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Rodri hasn’t tasted defeat in any of his last 66 games for club and country in a run stretching back more than a year.

City’s three losses in the league this season — against Wolves, Arsenal and Aston Villa — all came while the Spain international was suspended. City’s loss at Newcastle in the third round of the Carabao Cup also came when he was banned.

“Let’s see … how we live the situation. Sometimes it is what it is,” Rodri said. “It [a rest] is something we are planning, yes.”

That rest could come at home to Luton Town in the Premier League on Saturday — a clash that City will enter in third place, trailing Arsenal and Liverpool by one point. The second leg against Madrid is four days later, with City set to play two games a week for the rest of the season.

Rodri was given a rest for City’s last game against Luton, an FA Cup tie in February that Pep Guardiola’s side won 6-2 at Kenilworth Road.

Information from Associated Press contributed to this report