Ruben Dias Challenges Manchester City's Ragukan To Win The Premier League This Season

JAKARTA - Manchester City closed the international break in November 2024 with minor results.

They swallow four consecutive defeats in all competitions, two in the Premier League, one Champions League, and one League Cup (Carabao Cup).

Especially in the Premier League, the result made The Citizens under Liverpool who led the standings with a difference of five points.

However, there was still a low tone that broke after seeing the bad results of Manchester City in the four matches.

The Citizens are considered unable to compete in the Premier League title race this season.

The comment made Manchester City defender Ruben Dias inflamed. He challenged the doubters who said his team could not defend the league title.

The Portuguese player emphasized that the current situation with the four defeats would only trigger Manchester City, not further down.

Dias has a strong reason. Previously last season, a similar situation had occurred, but Manchester City was able to get past and instead won the Premier League.

"It's hard to say. Last season we had a difficult period around the same time before Christmas."

"In fact, we won treble last season. I thought when we grabbed treble, we even called it a gloomy January (as a joke). We had a difficult period at the time."

"The most important thing is how you bounce back from these moments. That's why our team won so many because in difficult times, characters appeared and we stayed together."

"We found people to be brought into the struggle and fight together. That's what we need to do once again," said Dias as reported by ESPN.

The 27-year-old realized that from the four consecutive defeats, one of the chances of Manchester City getting a title has disappeared.

The Citizens failed at the Carabao Cup after being beaten by Tottenham Hotspur 1-2 in the Fourth Round.

However, there are still several other titles that are more important, such as the English League and the Champions League.

"Our legacy is at stake. Even though we have won so many, it is very easy to choose to relax and accept it."

"Receive the fact that we've done quite a lot. However, we've just done quite a lot when it's finished."

"We are all very aware of it and want to move forward. Please doubt us (as candidates for the Premier League champions)," he said.

After losing to Tottenham in the Carabao Cup, Manchester City lost to Bournemouth (1-2), Sporting CP (1-4) in the Champions League, and finally humiliated Brighton (1-2).

Four consecutive defeats were the longest negative result in Pep Guardiola's managerial career.

Apart from that, the journey is still long. Manchester City still has a big chance of winning several trophies this season.

Dias also believes The Citizens can have gone through difficult times. As one of the old players, he understands very well that his team will not just give up.

Strong characters fighting together, according to Dias, will return to save Manchester City.

The defender has felt the character who gave birth to a number of titles since he joined in 2020.

Just look at the four Premier League titles and one Champions League trophy that Dias felt.

Meanwhile, Ruben Dias has been absent for Manchester City since losing to Tottenham in the Carabao Cup.

He suffered a calf muscle injury and is predicted to be able to play again after the international break on November 24, 2024 against Tottenham again.