Manchester City midfielder Rodri has spoken on the contrasts of working under Pep Guardiola and Diego Simeone.
The deep-lying midfielder became the record signing of the English champions this summer when he arrived in a €70m deal from Atletico Madrid.
The 23-year-old spent just one season at Los Rojiblancos, for whom he joined from Villarreal the previous year and became one of the most effectual players in his position in world football.
“I think they're very similar in the way that they always want to win,” Rodri responded when asked about the difference between the two, as cited by ESPN FC.
“They always want the players to be ready, focused, and they never let up, not even for one second: they're always putting pressure on, and that is the only way to be successful. Of course, they have different things, different ways of working, of seeing the game, interpreting it, but that's the good thing about football: there are so many ways of looking at the game. If you keep winning, you are a good Coach.”
In a wide-ranging interview, the midfielder also spoke about the difference between Spanish and English football: “You never know what the difference will be. I needed the first few weeks to adapt; I realised that you don't have a second to think.
“The way the referees [officiate] is a bit different, too. It's always a question of learning, playing, seeing. The first few games, I would play with my body, falling [if an opponent clashed with me], but the referee doesn't [give it]. So you don't do it again. That's important. You learn.
“In terms of quality, they're the best two leagues in the world and I need to adapt.
“Is English football more physical? It's not so much physical as the rhythm, the pace. The play is more physical in that sense; it's more box-to-box, you never stop and play the game, it's always run. It's a new type of football, and you have to adapt.
“Was joining City an easy decision? No. It wasn't easy because I was really, really happy in Atletico. I was here, home with my family, at the team that's in my heart. I was playing well. It wasn't easy, but I thought it was the right moment to take this challenge and I am really happy that I took that decision.”
