Barcelona midfielder Rodri isn't "fooled" by Real Madrid's form heading into his first Clásico on Sunday.
The comments come as Madrid enter the fixture in strong recent form, a run that has prompted debate about whether the rivals are on an upward trajectory. Rodri, however, has made clear that Barcelona are not reading too much into the results of their opponents.
For the Spanish midfielder, the match represents a significant milestone, a first taste of one of football's most storied rivalries. He has been part of a Barcelona side preparing with focus, with the emphasis placed firmly on Barça's own performance rather than on the reputation or momentum of Madrid.
The Clásico has always carried weight beyond the three points on offer, and Rodri's remarks suggest Barcelona intend to approach Sunday's showdown with discipline and self-belief. Whatever Madrid's recent results, the Catalan club are determined to control what they can and let the game on the pitch decide the outcome.
Source: ESPN Soccer · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing