"I'm not Lionel Messi. I can't just come back and expect the team to keep winning," Rodri said after the match at the Amex Stadium on 31/8. "We've been winning through collective strength, and I need my teammates. Of course, I need to regain my form, but the team won't win just because I'm on the pitch. This is a team sport. Hopefully, after the break, we'll come back stronger."

Rodri (number 16) expresses his disappointment after Man City's 2-1 loss to Brighton in the third round of the Premier League at the Amex Stadium, Brighton, England on 31/8/2025. Photo: Yahoo Sports

Yesterday marked Rodri's first Premier League start after 11 months of recovery from an anterior cruciate ligament injury. In the first half, the Spanish midfielder shone with the most touches, accurate passes, and ball recoveries. However, after the break, Brighton overwhelmed Man City's midfield.

"We started well, but our performance dipped in the second half. The opponent put pressure on us, and from two mistakes, we lost the entire match," the 2024 Ballon d'Or winner stated.

Man City began the match strongly, taking the lead through Erling Haaland's close-range shot. However, Pep Guardiola's side crumbled in the second half due to defensive errors. In the 64th minute, Matheus Nunes handled the ball in the penalty area, giving James Milner the opportunity to equalize from the penalty spot. In the 89th minute, 21-year-old midfielder Brajan Gruda broke through the defense, rounded goalkeeper James Trafford, and slotted the ball into an empty net to seal the victory for Brighton.

This is the first time Man City has lost two of their opening three Premier League matches since the 2004-2005 season when they finished 8th. Only one team has ever lost two of their first three games and still won the title: Man Utd in the 1992-1993 season.

"We are Man City, so we come here to win. But the truth is we haven't reached the required level for a long time," Rodri admitted. "Some mistakes were very silly, like childish errors, stemming from a lack of focus. If we want to compete, the whole team has to raise their game. This is a collective issue. When there are many changes, new players need time to adapt. This is reality, not an excuse."

The 29-year-old midfielder emphasized that Man City needs to use the upcoming FIFA Days to refresh their mentality. "Now is the time to clear our minds, come back stronger, and rediscover our true level if we want to compete for the championship," he said.

After the international break, Man City will return home to face Man Utd in the fourth round of the Premier League on 14/9.

Hong Duy