Rodri excited for his first El Clasico but wary about Real Madrid: ‘They will go all out’

Rodri excited for his first El Clasico but wary about Real Madrid: ‘They will go all out’ Rodri has described El Clasico as a special occasion that captures the attention of the entire football world, with the midfielder preparing to experience the Barcelona vs Real Madrid rivalry for the first time. Speaking to DAZN ahead of the fixture, the World Cup winner reflected on his return to Spanish football, praised Jose Mourinho’s influence on Real Madrid and insisted Barcelona must respond positively after their recent defeat against PSG. Rodri explains why his first El Clasico will be special Rodri, who joined Barcelona in the summer from Manchester City, admitted that returning to Spanish football is always a pleasure, but acknowledged that facing Real Madrid in El Clasico carries a significance unlike most other fixtures. “This will be my first Clasico , so it will be a very special occasion. I hope everything goes well,” Rodri said. He explained that matches of this magnitude put the players under the spotlight in a way that few other games can replicate. “Returning to La Liga and playing matches of this kind is extremely special because they put you in front of the eyes of the entire world. It is as if the world stops to watch them,” he said. Looking forward to his El Clasico. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images) Rodri also reflected on how playing abroad can affect a footballer’s recognition. In his view, some players who spend their entire careers in the Premier League do not receive the same appreciation in Spain because they have not played regularly in La Liga. “I have been fortunate to get the opportunity to return. Perhaps players who move abroad do not have the same impact they could have had in the Spanish league,” he explained. Rodri praises Mourinho’s influence at Real Madrid Rodri expects a fiercely competitive encounter against Real Madrid and acknowledged that Mourinho has a clear influence on the teams he manages. “Mourinho is a manager with a very strong personality and has a major impact on every team he coaches. He has a very clear philosophy and always manages to raise the competitive level of his teams,” Rodri said. The midfielder recognises that Real Madrid approach the game differently from Barcelona, but believes the intensity and determination associated with El Clasico will remain central to the contest. Rodri wary of Real Madrid under Mourinho. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images) “Obviously, Real Madrid play in a different way from us, but the competitive spirit is always there, especially in a match as big as El Clasico ,” he added. “So, we expect a Real Madrid that will go all out.” Rodri also believes Real Madrid will be motivated by their recent results in the rivalry, as he said: “They told me that Real Madrid won, I believe, just one match out of the last six or seven Clasico showdowns. So they’ll have a huge desire to redeem themselves.” Barcelona enter El Clasico following their 4-2 defeat against PSG, in the UEFA Champions League but Rodri insists the team remain mentally prepared to move forward. “We will continue on our path. It is true that we suffered a setback in our last match against PSG, but we have a good mentality and the desire to keep working and do things properly,” he said.