Pep Guardiola's “nightmare” » He scored again against Manchester City and entered a select top

Ashley Davis11/12/2025

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Article by Alexandru Stanciu – Published Wednesday, December 10, 2025, 11:40 p.m. / Updated Wednesday, December 10, 2025, 11:41 p.m.

Rodrygo, the striker of Real Madrid, opened the scoring in the 28th minute of the the derby of the 6th stage of the Champions Leagueagainst Manchester City. Thus, the Brazilian scored goal number 5 against a team coached by Pep Guardiola in the strongest interclub competition, entering a select top.

Although he was Guardiola's pupil for 4 seasons, Lionel Messi leads the chart with 7 successful goals against the teams later coached by the Iberian, Bayern Munich and Manchester City.

Along with Messi is also Karim Benzema, the former player of Real Madrid. The top is completed by Kylian Mbappe, who has 5 successes against the teams coached by Guardiola, now equaled by Rodrygo.

Rodrygo broke the ice after 32 games

Rodrygo's goal number 5 against Pep Guardiola's side was the Brazilian's first in 32 official games.

The last goal scored by Rodrygo was on March 4, 2025, when he managed to score in the 2-1 victory against Atletico Madrid, in the “eighties” of the Champions League.

Rodrygo / Photo: Getty Images

The Brazilian has lost his status as a main man at Real Madrid since the spring, and his situation has become even more complicated with the installation of Xabi Alonso on the technical bench. The game against Manchester City was only the fifth start for Rodrygo, who has never been a regular this season.

The first two successes came in the second leg of the semi-final in 2022, when Rodrygo scored a “double” in the 90th and 90+1 minutes, when Real Madrid had a slim chance of qualifying for the final. “Los Blancos” would qualify and prevail in the final against Liverpool, score 1-0.

Then, Rodrygo also scored in the draw at the “Bernabeu”, score 3-3, in the round of the “quarters” of the Champions League, in 2024. The Brazilian also opened the scoring in the return, in the victory achieved by Real Madrid at the “Etihad Stadium”, score 2-1.