Manchester City's Rodri has suggested his midfield role has changed slightly this season in his hope of scoring more goals.
In just three matches in 2023/24 Rodri has already equalled his tally of two Premier League goals in the whole of last season, with his latest on Sunday earning a late 2-1 win at Sheffield United.
See: Rodri comes to Man City's rescue
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The champions were the Premier League’s highest scorers last season, netting 94 times, but this summer lost two key goalscorers from midfield in Riyad Mahrez and Ilkay Gundogan.
Gundogan in particular was a clutch player in front of goal for Man City, but Rodri, who scored the winner in the UEFA Champions League final in May, is showing signs he can fill any void of goals.
“I just analysed a little bit. Sheff Utd drop so so deep, they pay a lot of attention to the strikers, to the wingers, but not much to the midfielders that come behind," Rodri explained after Sunday's match.
Rodrigo shares his post-match thoughts after our third win in a row in the @premierleague! 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/bxGJnehhQv
— Manchester City (@ManCity) August 27, 2023
“I was trying to shoot, you can see me in the game, I shot like six, seven times not being successful but at the end I found space.
“I could feel that the control was not going to be good because the ball [into me] was so strong, so I anticipate that moment and I shoot first touch.
“I said before this season, I could get more goals, be more times in the area and these situations, so I’m very happy for that.”
'Pep was totally present'
The win at Sheff Utd was City’s 200th under Pep Guardiola, who is the fastest manager in PL history to reach that total.
Guardiola was not at Bramall Lane as he continues his recovery from back surgery, but Juanma Lillo, City's assistant coach, says Pep was very much instrumental to the win.
“During the match I spoke to him at some moments but generally he was speaking to other members of the technical staff,” Lillo revealed.
“He has been totally present today. If there was more space on the bench I wouldn’t have sat in his seat!
“Pep’s seat is Pep’s seat. He was there with us the whole time."
