Manchester City midfielder Rodrigo expects a battle against Real Madrid on Tuesday night.

City are in Madrid tonight for the first-leg of their Champions League quarterfinal.

Rodrigo said: “Of course we have the experience of last year, but we don't think much of that.

“We will face a different Real Madrid, they play differently, and every season is different.

“We come here with one of the best versions of ourselves this season. I think we will always face the favourites of this competition [at some stage].

“We know each other quite well in the last few years. We expect such a tough game tomorrow."

Asked about Real Madrid's nine-day rest, Rodrigo continued: “I will tell you tomorrow. We are involved in the Premier League title fight, and this makes you play every three days and not rest.

“Yes they could rest a little bit more and maybe they have a little advantage in this sense, but we are not worried.

“We have been playing with the same rhythm in recent years. We would like to rest like them, but it isn't something that worries us."

And on his clash with Jude Bellingham, he added: “I said we face a different Real Madrid because I think they play differently.

“They don't play the same way. They control and have a different way of playing. We respect Real.

“We know whatever happens it will never be finished. Even if things go good or bad tomorrow, we have the second leg.

“We know Jude because we have faced Dortmund - he is so powerful and strong, has the ability to arrive at the second line and control the game.

“But I don't like focusing on one player - they have enormous potential in all the lines, and we have to adapt to that."