Spain supervisor Luis de la Fuente has revealed that there have been moments when he believed Rodri would depart Manchester Metropolis and be a part of Actual Madrid earlier than ultimately finishing a transfer to Barcelona.
Talking to COPE, De la Fuente defined that his shut relationship with Rodri and the midfielder’s camp meant he was conscious of how the switch state of affairs was growing.
“There have been moments once I thought that Rodri was going to affix Actual Madrid. I’ve an excellent relationship with him, so I knew the place issues had been going,”
De la Fuente stated.
Softfootball understands that Actual Madrid had been broadly anticipated to make a transfer for Rodri after his spectacular return from damage and excellent performances for Spain. Nevertheless, Barcelona finally secured the midfielder, bringing him again to La Liga.
De la Fuente welcomed Rodri’s return to Spanish soccer and praised the midfielder’s significance to the nationwide staff, whereas additionally expressing his happiness that Spanish gamers are receiving larger recognition at residence.
The feedback come shortly after one other dramatic weekend in La Liga, with Atlético Madrid defeating Actual Madrid 2-1 in a fiery Madrid derby.
The turning level got here early within the second half when Dean Huijsen was proven a purple card after a VAR overview for flattening Giuliano Simeone contained in the field. Alejandro Grimaldo transformed the ensuing penalty to place Atlético forward earlier than Jonathan David doubled the benefit.
Actual Madrid ultimately pulled one again via Antonio Rüdiger within the closing levels, however Atlético held on for all three factors.
The derby additionally generated main dialogue over the refereeing choices, with De la Fuente later acknowledging that officers could make errors whereas defending the general customary of Spanish refereeing.
