Pep Guardiola’s side return to Champions League action on Wednesday away at Juventus in what will be our sixth European match of the campaign.
City will step out at the Allianz Stadium on the back of what has been a tough run of results over the past six weeks.
With three games to go in the initial league stage, we will kick-off in Turin lying in 18th place in the 36-strong composite Champions League table, with only the top eight guaranteed to go straight through to the knockout stages.
However, addressing the media at Tuesday’s pre-match press conference, the Portuguese central defender delivered a rousing call to arms, saying the challenge of bouncing back to our best was one he and his colleagues were determined to answer.
“It’s not an easy period but when I go home the only thing in my mind is how are we going to move forward,” Dias declared.
“[By] sticking together. Football is about that as much as life.
“This is when you show character and who you are.
“It’s time to stick together and believe in our processes which have delivered us magic over years.
“Back to basics.
“It doesn’t matter about the past - you always demand more and want more.
“As long as your legs allow you that’s what you strive for.
“Pushing yourself as a team, a club and an individual. It inspires [you] to be greater.
“This is our legacy - more than the Treble or Four in a Row.
“It’s all spectacular, but the one thing that defines your legacy is how you react in the most difficult moment of your career.
“Those are the moments we will remember.”
One of the squad-appointed leadership group at the Etihad, Dias also revealed how communication and knowing when to talk to each other were just as important in seeking to help inspire a turnaround in fortunes.
“In times like this or any circumstances words mean something and should be said,” Dias added.
“We do a good job between the leaders in assessing when those words needs to come out.
“We are family and we need to stick together.
“We need to run for each other and keep that alive.”
Juventus v City app coverage
Our official app allows you to follow all of the action from Italy in one place.
Minute-by-minute text updates will begin in our Matchday Centre two hours before kick-off, whilst our Matchday Live show will begin at 18:45 (UK).
City legend Shaun Wright-Phillips and tennis star Liam Broady are the special guests on the latest Matchday Live show, offering their expert insight before the game, at half-time and in greater detail after the final whistle.
During the game you can listen to live audio commentary from Alistair Mann and Kit Symons, while our text commentary continues.
Make sure to have push notifications turned on as well, so you can be alerted to key moments in the action, including goals, red cards and the team news.
Highlights from the match, as well as a full-match replay [available on CITY+] will also be available.
