'People love the scenario of us not making it - but we love doing it'

Ruben Dias talks to the M.E.N. about City's drive

-  SIMON BAJKOWSKI

RUBEN Dias says City are ready to disappoint their doubters again as they push for another historic season.

City became just the second English team to win the Premier League, FA Cup, and Champions League in a single campaign last year and as silverware season approaches again they are well placed in all three competitions.

Two points off the top of the league with a game in hand, they face Luton and Copenhagen this month for a spot in the quarterfinals of their two knockout tournaments. Pep Guardiola's fears that winning the Treble would prove difficult to keep motivation going appears to have been misplaced, although it is a run of nine straight wins that started with the Club World Cup in Saudi Arabia that has rejuvenated City's season. Before they jetted off to win their fifth trophy of 2023, they had won just one of their last six Premier League games that left them facing questions about whether they could defend their crown.

City's manager hit out at what he saw as extreme reactions to that run of form, pointing out the quality of opposition they had faced and their positive performances despite the results. That feeling found its way into the dressing room, and chimed with the longstanding feeling that City's achievements have been underrated - Guardiola has said it is 'unfair' that 'only' City are expected to win the league and will be deemed failures if they do not.

Ruben Dias is discussing a season that has seen him and his fellow defenders criticised by Guardiola for a year in which they have only kept one clean sheet in the last 12 when he refers to City being in a good position 'whatever people might say! 

If that seems curious given there has been little coverage disparaging their season, it is evident that the Blues are using any criticism or perceived slights as motivation to keep their eyes on more prizes.