Ruben Dias sends Manchester City warning to Bayern Munich and makes Joao Cancelo admission ahead of Champions League quarter final

Manchester City defender Ruben Dias is confident of dealing with the pace possessed by Bayern Munich over two legs in the Champions League quarter-final.

City welcome Thomas Tuchel’s side to the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday evening for the opening leg after securing a 4-1 victory away at Southampton at the weekend.

A brace from Erling Haaland and a goal each from Jack Grealish and Julian Alvarez sealed an eighth successive triumph for the Premier League across all competitions heading into the Champions League quarter final.

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John Stones and Nathan Ake were once again deployed as full backs by Pep Guardiola, with the former operating in a double pivot alongside Rodri in midfield, ahead of Ruben Dias and Manuel Akanji.

City’s defence was leaky following the Qatar World Cup, owing partly to the absence of Ruben Dias, who spent the aftermath of the tournament on the sidelines with a hamstring injury.

However, the Portugal international’s return to fitness has helped the Blues maintain their chances of securing a treble of trophies next month.

“I think our team gets fed by these moments (when players get injured). It is what it is, it’s football, it’s our job to be ready for it, firstly for the team and finding the answer in yourself,” Dias said on his return from injury in a press conference on Monday afternoon.

“It’s about staying positive and keep doing the best you can to help the team the most with our own ability. Football changes and that’s why you always need to keep sharp.

“It was a difficult time, the last two games of the World Cup. It was not an easy period because of the importance of the competition but I came back and I’m here to help.”

Thomas Tuchel and Bayern Munich pose as difficult a test as they come for treble chasing City, who were narrowly beaten by Tuchel-led Chelsea in their maiden Champions League final appearance in 2021.

On the prospect of facing Bayern, Dias said: “I think first of all, ambition (will matter), I think that will be the key. It will be a balanced game between two very good teams. Details.

“After everything Bayern (Munich) has done, we know we are up against a different side and obviously the Premier League is different from Bundesliga but we know it will be balanced between us and we are very sharp.”

Tuchel was brought in by the Bayern Munich hierarchy to replace Julian Nagelsmann as head coach in March, a decision that shocked many in the football industry, not lead Dias and his manager Pep Guardiola.

“Suddenly everything (preparations) changes, it’s the most difficult thing to catch up on. We will do our best to be ready,” the 25-year-old said on Tuchel’s appointment.

The likes of Leroy Sane, Sadio Mane, Serge Gnabry, Jamal Musiala and Alphonso Davies could pose a significant threat to City’s backline owing to their collective pace.

However, Dias is not fearful of Bayern’s attack and feels confident of his abilities and those of his fellow defenders to cope with the German giants. “We’ve got our own players too. We’ll see on the pitch,” the two-time Premier League winner added in an admirable, defiant fashion.

The opening leg will see the Etihad Stadium welcome back Joao Cancelo, who joined Bayern Munich from Manchester City on loan till the end of the season in January.

On facing his compatriot in Bayern colours, Dias said: “It will be strange. It will be good to play against him (Joao Cancelo) again. Especially after our time here (at City) together, we have built a special relationship so we’ve been in contact but when the game starts each one will be on their own side.”

City can extend their winning run to nine games across all competitions with a triumph over Bayern on Tuesday.

Dias added: “I cannot compare previous years because every year football changes but I can guarantee that we are here and will fight for everything.”

The Portuguese has been in fine form ahead of the opening leg and Guardiola will be pinning his hopes on Dias to organise City’s defence against Bayern Munich as the Blues bid to reach the last four of the Champions League for the third season running.