Dimitar Berbatov has recently discussed Rodri, Manchester City’s No. 16 player, following his straight red card in their recent Premier League match.
The 42-year-old shared his perspective with the Metro, suggesting that Rodri perceives himself as a dominant figure compared to Premier League rivals like Morgan Gibbs-White. Berbatov mentioned that in 2008, Manchester City made attempts to acquire him for £30 million.
Berbatov expressed that Rodri should have exercised better judgment in the previous match, acknowledging that emotions can sometimes override rational decisions.
He emphasized that those who haven’t played the game might not fully comprehend the intensity of such emotions, which stem from self-assurance.
Berbatov illustrated how encountering provocation from opponents can trigger a defensive reaction, and he observed a certain level of arrogance in Rodri’s actions during the incident with Nottingham Forest’s No. 10.
Reflecting on Rodri’s typical composed demeanor, Berbatov highlighted that the altercation was uncharacteristic of the Spaniard.
He believes that Rodri will undoubtedly learn from this experience and grow following his first red card at Manchester City.
Pep Guardiola expressed his disappointment with the incident, emphasizing the importance of discipline within the team, particularly from a crucial player like Rodri.
Berbatov speculated that Guardiola, known for his passionate coaching style, likely addressed the matter sternly in the locker room, drawing parallels to the motivational approach depicted in Manchester City’s “All or Nothing” video on Amazon Prime.
Given Rodri’s significance to Manchester City, Berbatov emphasized the hope that this incident remains an isolated one, as his absence due to a three-game ban could impact the team’s performance.
He expressed optimism that this red card would serve as a pivotal lesson for Rodri, preventing any future similar occurrences at the Etihad Stadium.
