Man City squad willing to embrace pain of 2021 to fuel Champions League bid

Manchester City are better equipped to approach the Champions League final after losing the showpiece event in 2021.

That is the message from midfielder Rodri, who insists that City are more mature than they were two years ago, as they head to Istanbul to take on Inter Milan with a first-ever Champions League title on offer.

City reached the final in Porto in 2021, but were beaten 1-0 by Chelsea and crashed out in the semi-finals last year at Real Madrid. Having knocked Real out at the same stage this season, City have since added the Premier League and FA Cup titles, meaning they are on for a historic treble if they can get past Inter.

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Rodri was a surprise substitute in Porto two years ago, but will surely start in Istanbul on Saturday, and will attempt to help his side secure their third title of the season.

Speaking after City beat Manchester United in the FA Cup final, Rodri said: "We have learned lots of lessons, experience. It’s my fourth year, when you win, lose, finals, everything you can learn. I feel more mature in these situations.

"We try to learn a lot from the past. It’s something you learn and I think the desire - how we played Real Madrid, for example, after a defeat there last year - so we’re going to play in the same way, trying to solve the situation, come back from the situation and try to win the final."

"I think to win you have to have lost before and to have a winning mentality in the Champions League you have to be there in the semifinals, touch the finals. That’s the good point of this team.

"The last six or seven years has been touching the semi-finals and finals. It is the only