The Manchester City Ruben Dias defender remains optimistic about his team’s chances of gaining silverware, despite the fact that he is facing what he describes as their “most difficult” era.
The Pep Guardiola team will take over Real Madrid champions in the first leg of the Champions League game on Tuesday.
This comes after the city that ended the 22nd in the group scene, a setback that now hope to overcome today’s holders.
A victory over the two legs would secure a point in the last 16, where they would face either Atletico Madrid or Bayer Leverkusen.
However, City has also faced difficulties in their domestic campaign, currently sitting in the Premier League and Liverpool leaders by 15 points.
“This has been the most difficult time since I was here, but I am stable loyal that even in the most difficult times, you can still achieve something beautiful,” Dias said.
‘I didn’t spend a second to think if it was disrespectful’
Ruben Dias only focused on Rodri when he won the Ballon d’Or 💪#Bbcfootball pic.twitter.com/ouyvtmGC5T
– BBC Sport (@BBCSport) Feb 1025 1025
“We know how difficult it will be to get through, but we have a lot of weapons in the dressing room. We just have to use them in the right way.”
This marks the fourth consecutive season – and the fifth in six years – that the city and Madrid clashed in the Champions League knockout rounds.
The Spanish giants secured the victory over the quarter -finals of last season before proceeding to claim their 15th European title under Carlo Ancelotti.
With the two teams that have won two meetings at previous meetings, Guardiola described their rivalry as one of the most important in the modern era of the Champions League.
This upcoming match also comes after a dispute, as Madrid players boycott the Ballon d’Or ceremony in protest, after Rodri was awarded the title of the best player in the world above Vinicius Jr.
The city was reportedly regarded as the absence of Madrid as a sign of lack of respect, but Dias, who was present in Paris alongside Rodri, undermined any impact on the incident.
“Being honest with you, I didn’t spend a second for it,” the Portuguese defender added.
“I was happy for Rodri. Vinicius had an excellent year and was also worth it. He’s like in the past when (Lionel) Messi and Cristiano (Ronaldo) fought for it.”
