"The Champions League is special for me, I tend to play well in it"

Less than two days remain until Atletico host Real Madrid in the second leg of the Champions League. Ahead of the clash, Rodrygo Goes, who netted the first for 'Los Blancos' at the Santiago Bernabeu, shared his thoughts on the upcoming game, his special bond with the competition and his experience in making up a forward line alongside Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior.

"Playing against Atletico is always different because it's a derby. When it's the two biggest clubs in the city playing, it will always be special," the Brazilian said to the microphones of UEFA. "Playing alongside Mbappe and Vini is very special. It's a dream to play with top players like them and be part of this attack. Each day we talk more, we get to know one another better and we play better. This is only the beginning because we still have a long history to write as a trio."

Having scored 25 goals in 61 Champions League appearances, Rodrygo admitted to having a special connection with the elite European competition. "I love the Champions League, it's a competition that I always do well in. It's special for me because I tend to play well in it and things work out for me. I'm having an incredible season and I want to continue to help my team even more," he affirmed. 

The 'Merengues' had a slow start to the newly revised version of the competition after losing twice in their first four games in the league phase, but they slowly got their confidence back and their infamous 'Kings of Europe' attitude started to emerge when it mattered the most. Rodrygo highlighted the victory over Manchester City in the play-offs as the turning point for the club. "It was an important victory, they were a difficult rival and we know this because we played them in recent years. It's always tough against City but this time we were better and that has elevated our confidence for the rest of the season," he said.

The 24-year-old winger concluded the interview, sparing a few words of gratitude for his head coach, Carlo Ancelotti. He said: "I try to replicate the way he treats people in my personal life. He is a fantastic human being, he treats everyone very well and we know that the role he has as a coach is very difficult because he has to manage a group with so many players. He always tries to maintain a balance, he always treats everyone very well and with respect."