In a remarkably candid post-match assessment, Manchester City's midfield general Rodri has pulled no punches in diagnosing what went wrong during his side's surprising 1-0 defeat to Brighton.
The Spanish international, often hailed as City's most consistent performer, delivered a sobering verdict that will resonate throughout the Etihad dressing room. "We didn't play well," Rodri stated bluntly. "We know we can do much better."
Title Hopes Dented at the Amex
City's Premier League title aspirations suffered a significant blow on the south coast as Brighton secured a memorable victory through Julio Enciso's first-half header. The result leaves Pep Guardiola's side four points behind leaders Arsenal, though with a game in hand.
Rodri didn't attempt to sugarcoat the performance, acknowledging Brighton's superiority on the night. "Brighton were better than us and they deserved the win," he admitted. "We have to accept it, learn from it, and move forward."
A Rare Off Night for City's Engine
What made this defeat particularly surprising was Rodri's own uncharacteristic performance. The midfielder, who had previously gone 42 matches without experiencing defeat in a City shirt, looked unusually off the pace against Brighton's dynamic midfield.
His honest assessment continued: "We have to look at ourselves. We know the standards we've set and today we didn't reach them. It's as simple as that."
Title Race Implications
This result throws the Premier League title race wide open with just a handful of games remaining. City's destiny is no longer entirely in their own hands, though they do possess that crucial game in hand over Arsenal.
Rodri's message to teammates and fans was clear: "This isn't over. We have to respond like champions. We've been in difficult situations before and we know how to react."
The midfielder's refreshing honesty provides both a warning and a rallying cry as Manchester City enter the critical final weeks of their season, with everything still to play for despite this significant setback.
