Ruben Dias sent a rousing message to his Manchester City teammates as they attempt to end the wait for a Champions League trophy.
City host Bayern Munich in Tuesday’s quarter-final first leg on the back of eight consecutive victories and with the Premier League title race now in their hands.
Dias – who played in the 2021 final defeat by Chelsea and the late semi-final collapse at Real Madrid last season – believes City are built to thrive on this stage.
‘All of us have a special feeling, a special taste when it comes to this stage,’ the defender said. ‘Now is the time to be together and producing and to be out on the pitch and do what we can do best – every one of us.
‘I think our team is fed by these moments and that is a very good characteristic to have. One thing is for sure: when we arrive to this stage we are ready. I can guarantee we are here and will fight for everything.’
Dias added: ‘A very wise man said to me that we didn’t lose the final, we just got one step closer. If there was a moment I was dwelling, because it’s never easy to lose a final, if there was a moment of doubt I listened to these words and it made more sense. They echoed in my mind.’
City can extend their winning run to nine games across all competitions with a triumph over Bayern on Tuesday.
Dias added: “I cannot compare previous years because every year football changes but I can guarantee that we are here and will fight for everything.”
The Portuguese has been in fine form ahead of the opening leg and Guardiola will be pinning his hopes on Dias to organise City’s defence against Bayern Munich as the Blues bid to reach the last four of the Champions League for the third season running.
