Ruben Dias sends clear warning to Real Madrid ahead of Champions League showdown

Manchester City and Real Madrid spell caput to caput astatine the Etihad tonight, with the 2 astir caller Champions League winners scrapping to stay successful the competition

Ruben Dias says Manchester City tin outgun Real Madrid contiguous and triumph the Champions League shoot-out betwixt the European heavyweights.

City – winners successful 2023 - big holders Real astatine the Etihad Stadium contiguous successful the archetypal limb of their play-off necktie to determine which broadside goes done to the past 16.

Real person added Kylian Mbappe to their glittering line-up this season, with their formidable guardant enactment besides boasting England prima Jude Bellingham, Vinicius Jr and Rodrygo.

But Dias reckons City's ain 'big guns' tin sprout down the 15-time European champions to respire caller beingness into their season, having fallen retired of contention successful the Premier League rubric race.

“Since I've been here, this is possibly the astir hard play truthful far,” said Dias. “But we person loads of guns successful the dressing country and we conscionable person to usage them the close way. With the close belief, we are capable to bash anything.

“Obviously it's 1 of the astir hard opponents you tin look successful the Champions League. We cognize precise good what we're up against. It's 1 of the toughest games you tin have.

“We've faced galore teams who person players who tin marque a quality - but successful the Champions League that's what you get. We request to beryllium coagulated astatine the backmost - the much coagulated we are, the much chances we have.”

Dias refused to beryllium drawn connected Real's determination to boycott the Ballon d'Or ceremonial past twelvemonth successful protestation astatine City midfielder Rodri winning it implicit their winger, Vinicius Jr.

“I’ve ne'er fixed 1 2nd of thought astir disrespect implicit Rodri winning it,” said Dias. “I was conscionable pleased and arrogant helium won it and I was determination to observe with him.”

City brag Guardiola said helium does not fearfulness for his occupation if his broadside goes retired implicit 2 legs. "I don’t cognize if a doc oregon an designer would beryllium asked astir his position,” said Guardiola.

“I don’t person that feeling. I’m inactive present for what we’ve won successful erstwhile seasons, different I astir apt wouldn’t beryllium here. But I don’t deliberation I’m going to beryllium thrown retired connected the street.”

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