Rodri has insisted he cannot single-handedly fix Manchester City’s poor form after making his first Premier League start in 11 months in Sunday’s 2-1 loss at Brighton.
The Spain international, who recovered from a long-term ACL injury, returned to Pep Guardiola’s starting XI but was unable to prevent back-to-back league defeats.
Brajan Gruda’s late strike sealed victory for the hosts after James Milner cancelled out Erling Haaland’s opener from the penalty spot.
“I’m not Messi. I’m not going to come back and make the team win and win,” Rodri said after the match. “This is a collective; when we won in the past, I needed all my team-mates.
“For sure I have to recover and find my best level. It’s not because I’m back we’re going to win. It’s a collective sport. Hopefully after the break we can come back much better.”
Rodri admitted City’s errors are undermining them during a shaky start to the season.
“Some of the mistakes we are doing are kids’ mistakes, you are not concentrating and paying attention,” he said. “The reality is that we have to raise the level if we want to compete.
“It’s a matter of the team, changes, new players have to adapt, and when you change the team that much, it is difficult. This is our reality, it’s not excuses.”
Milner, who struck from the spot in the 67th minute against his former club, dedicated his equaliser to ex-teammate Diogo Jota, who tragically died in a car accident.
“It was horrific [what happened to Jota],” Milner told the BBC. “He was a great guy and a great teammate. I loved him as both. I’ve not scored for six years and I was wearing his number. Obviously I’ve got help from the great man.
“It’s nice to get the goal in a victory. I’m delighted for the boys.”
