Ruben Dias does not think Manchester City or Pep Guardiola need to win the Champions League to prove their status in world football.
Ruben Diaz said: “I think that’s an easy thing to say, but ultimately only one team wins the Champions League every season and many incredibly strong teams, including champions from all the different countries miss out every time. The level is very high and if you’re not at your very best for just 90 minutes then you’re out. Last year we were just 90 minutes away from winning and although we didn’t, I think that speaks volumes about our progress. When you look at what we’ve achieved over the last few years in the Premier League and the cup competitions, we have shown what we are capable of. Now we want to go one step further in Europe and we will do our best to make sure we do. Of course you want to win it and of course getting as close as we did is tough, but getting to the final in itself was a huge moment for us. It was the first time in this club’s history and it can only help us to have had that experience. It’s important not to lose sight of that after a defeat. Winning the trophy would have been absolutely incredible and we were as close as we’ve been, but that gives you the motivation to go again this season and hopefully we can go one step further.”
Guardiola also comes into another Champions League campaign with questions. Many City fans are still haunted by that team selection in the final last season and similar curveballs thrown in previous years, while outside of the club the accusation has even been put to the manager in press conferences that he is unable to win the competition without Lionel Messi. Having won the competition as a player and then twice as a manager, as well as coaching teams in the Spanish, German and English top divisions to nine league titles in 12 seasons, Dias thinks there should be no debate about Guardiola’s credentials ahead of his attempt to win his first European title since 2011.
Ruben Diaz said: “In my opinion he’s one of the best managers ever. What he has done in the game, not only here but in Barcelona and at Bayern Munich is incredible. People think that it is easy to manage at a top club, but it comes with challenges and the manager has been successful everywhere he’s been. Obviously, it’s not just what he’s won here and elsewhere but his style of play. It’s a pleasure to be part of his squad and he’ll keep pushing us to keep winning trophies.”
