Pep Guardiola's stars arrive at Nottingham Forest today chasing more football immortality and seeking to become the first team ever to win four English League titles. Last season, City matched Manchester United's three consecutive titles achieved during Sir Alex Ferguson's golden era at Old Trafford.
And Rodri believes it would add to the four-midable legacy Guardiola and City are creating if they turn a hat-trick of straight title wins into a quadruple.
“It would be history. No team in history has won four Premier League titles in a row and we want to be the first,” says Rodri. “We need to keep those blue ribbons on the trophy and we’ll do everything from now until the end of the season to do that.
“We already have two trophies this season and we want to add to that with another two. If we can finish the season with four, then that will be another special achievement. We know it’s going to be a challenge and we need to keep working hard, but we’re ready.
“It gets harder every season and now three incredible teams are all fighting for the same goal at the end of the season. Every team is pushing for the title, so we have to use our experience to win it again.
“Of course, we are proud of the Treble last season, the four Premier League titles in five years, the Super Cup and the Club World Cup this season, but we want more.
“The feeling of lifting a trophy with our fans is something special and you want that again and again. We are creating a legacy and we always want that taste of success.”The Netflix documentary charting City’s journey to the treble last season is titled Together. And Spanish midfielder Rodri reckons that’s one of City’s biggest strengths as they look to end the season with a bang.
“There’s a reason the documentary is called Together! That is what we are” endorsed Rodri. “All of my teammates, the coaches, staff behind the scenes, we are all together and fighting for the same goals for the team.
“My teammates are incredible and what we continue to do each season makes me really proud. We all have the mentality to fight for everything, to win every game and that will never stop.
“We are always there for each other. It’s a special group to be involved in.”
Premier League title race
1. Arsenal - P34, 77pts (GD +56)
2. Man City- P33, 76pts (GD +48)
3. Liverpool - P35, 75pts (GD +41)
Arsenal's remaining fixtures
Tottenham [A] - Sunday 28 April (2pm)
Bournemouth [H] - Saturday 4 May (12:30pm)
Manchester United [A] - Sunday 12 May (4.30pm)
Everton [H] - Sunday 19 May (4pm)
Manchester City's remaining fixtures
Nottingham Forest [A] - Sunday 28 April (4:30pm)
Wolves [H] - Saturday 4 May (5:30pm)
Fulham [A] - Saturday 11 May (12.30pm)
Tottenham [A] - Tuesday 14 May (8pm)
West Ham [H] - Sunday 19 May (4pm)
Liverpool's remaining fixtures
Tottenham [H] - Sunday 5 May (4:30pm)
Aston Villa [A] - Monday 13 May (8pm)
Wolves [H] - Sunday 19 May (4pm)
After only managing a 1-1 draw at the City Ground last season, Rodri knows relegation-haunted Forest will fight for their lives.
“That’s the Premier League. We dominated the match there last season and should have won comfortably, but Forest kept fighting and we got punished.
“You have to concentrate and be focused 100 per cent or else this happens.”
By the time Guardiola’s men kick-off, they’ll know how Arsenal fared in the North London derby - but Rodri insists that won’t deflect their focus.Of course, we have a look at the other results that impact us, but we can’t control them. If we don’t do our job, then the other results don’t matter. We know the atmosphere will be good because Forest are fighting to stay in the Premier League, but we are fighting for the title and we have to win.
“We just need to be the best version of ourselves and play with our usual confidence.
“It will be a tough contest in a difficult stadium, but we will give it everything again to get the three points.”
0 Comments