Manchester City defender Ruben Dias has expressed confidence that his team can still achieve greatness this season despite enduring their most difficult campaign in years. As Pep Guardiola’s men prepare to face Real Madrid in the Champions League play-off first leg, Ruben Dias believes there is still an opportunity to turn things around and make history.
City’s Struggles in the 2023/24 Season
Manchester City’s current season has been one of unexpected challenges. After finishing 22nd in the Champions League group stage, they now face a crucial play-off against reigning champions Real Madrid on Tuesday. A victory over the two legs would secure their place in the last 16, where they would face either Atletico Madrid or Bayer Leverkusen.
Their domestic campaign has also been far from Manchester City, the defending Premier League champions, are currently fifth in the table, trailing leaders Liverpool by 15 points. They have also been eliminated from the EFL Cup and have struggled to assert dominance in the FA Cup, barely making it past League One side Leyton Orient in the fifth round.
Ruben Dias: ‘We Can Still Achieve Something Beautiful’
Despite these setbacks, Ruben Dias remains optimistic. The Portuguese centre-back, one of City’s vice-captains, emphasized the importance of resilience and belief in challenging times.
“This has been the most difficult season since I have been here,” Ruben Dias admitted. “But I am a firm believer that even in the most difficult moments, you can still achieve something beautiful.”
Acknowledging the challenge of facing Real Madrid, Ruben Dias expressed confidence in City’s squad. “We know how difficult it will be to get through, but we have loads of guns in the dressing room. We just have to use them in the right way,” he said.
City vs. Real Madrid: A Renewed Rivalry
Manchester City and Real Madrid have become familiar foes in the Champions League, meeting in the knockout stages for the fourth consecutive season and the fifth time in six years. Their clashes have been intense, with both teams securing two wins each in their recent European meetings.
Last season, Real Madrid triumphed over City on penalties in the quarter-finals and went on to claim their record-extending 15th Champions League title. Guardiola has described their rivalry as one of the biggest in modern Champions League history.
This match also carries extra tension following the Ballon d’Or controversy, where Madrid players reportedly boycotted the ceremony in protest of City’s Rodri winning the award over Vinicius Jr. While some at City viewed this as a sign of disrespect, Ruben Dias downplayed the matter. “Being honest with you, I didn’t spend one second thinking about it. I was happy for Rodri. Vinicius had an extraordinary year and also deserved it,” he said.
Guardiola: Uncertainty Over City’s Performance
Pep Guardiola has openly admitted his concerns about City’s inconsistency this season. The manager, who has seen his team dominate English and European football in recent years, acknowledged that this campaign has been particularly unpredictable.
“We have been unstable this season when we have not been in the past,” Guardiola said. “What has defined the team over the last decade is that we have been an incredible machine every three days. This year, we have not been consistent.”
City’s recent form has shown glimpses of improvement, with seven wins in their last 10 matches. However, disappointing results—such as their collapse at Brentford after leading by two goals, their defeat to PSG despite another two-goal advantage, and the 5-1 thrashing by Arsenal—have left Guardiola uncertain about his team’s ability to rise to the occasion.
“Of course, we can perform well tomorrow. Of course, we can perform well in Madrid,” he said. “But before, I could tell you that with confidence. Now, I don’t know how we will react.”
Can City Salvage Their Season?
Manchester City’s hopes of success now rest on their ability to navigate past Real Madrid and regain momentum in their domestic campaign. Guardiola has already dismissed their chances of retaining the Premier League title, but a deep run in the Champions League could still provide a silver lining in an otherwise turbulent season.
With key players like Ruben Dias, Rodri, and Erling Haaland still capable of producing world-class performances, City’s fate remains in their hands. If they can rediscover their best form, they may yet turn their struggles into a triumphant comeback story.
As Ruben Dias put it, “Even in the most difficult moments, you can still achieve something beautiful.” Whether City can translate those words into reality will be determined in the coming weeks.
