The Japanese side defended resolutely for 45 minutes, keeping Pep Guardiola‘s men at bay, before a Marius Hoibraten broke the deadlock in stoppage time at the end of the first period.
Mateo Kovacic doubled the lead shortly after the interval, before Bernardo Silva’s deflected shot made it 3-0 shortly before the hour mark.
Rodrigo, who boasted a 97% pass accuracy rate and had 123 touches of the ball, was delighted with City’s determination to break down the rigid Urawa Reds backline.
“We know how difficult it is to arrive to this moment where you have to win the Champions League. We did a very good game,” he said.
“It wasn’t easy. We came here to win it. This is the mentality of the team. We found it very tough to go through. There were a lot of players very narrow and they defended very good.
“We know how narrow Japanese teams are and how tough it is to attack them. But we got a goal late in the last moment of the first half. We kept going and we never gave up.
“We need to be better at moving the ball a bit quicker but it is not easy at the same time.
“It is never easy against these teams. I think that’s why we needed our best version today and we will need it for the final.”
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The Spaniard also revealed his admiration for Asian football and praised the progression and lebel of football in the Asian continent.
“I see a lot of progress in general,” he declared. “I think football is getting to a point where it is very equal.
“I don’t mean everywhere but the differences are getting very close. They are pushing the levels so high. We saw a very competitive team today.”
