On Thursday at 3 a.m. Beijing time (UTC+8), Manchester City will face PSG in the second matchday of the Champions League group stage. Ahead of the match, Rúben Dias attended the team's press conference and discussed in the second part how the team is handling the Premier League charges, as well as his expectations for the upcoming game. Related link: [Rubén: We trust the club, not everyone wants us to win]

When this news broke three years ago, everyone stood by the team. This time the scandal erupted during an international break when players were scattered across the globe. Did this change the interaction between teammates? Did you need to reach out to each player individually?

Honestly, after the news broke, we all felt the need to have a serious conversation. As soon as everyone returned to the club, we immediately got together, unified our thoughts, stabilized our mindset, and moved forward. We weren't together when it happened, but we quickly connected with each other, calmed down, and continued our preparation.

When so much happens at once, as captain you have to motivate the entire team. Is that a heavy burden?

Actually, it's no different from previous years; the captain's responsibilities never change. As captain, it's about being ready at any moment. This challenge seems different, but we've faced similar situations before, and I'm prepared for it. Three other captains and every player in the team will stand together. We will defend and fight for the club; we trust the club.

The celebrations after last Sunday's match also drew criticism. Enzo Maresca just said in an interview: "We won 3-0 at Anfield—what more do people want from us?" You also won at Anfield with the team last season. Compared to those two wins, was your satisfaction from Sunday's victory stronger, weaker, or about the same?

I completely agree with the manager's statement. Winning at Anfield is always important, regardless of timing. Whether it's early season or the second half, as long as we achieve this victory, we will enjoy it equally and celebrate according to how we feel in the moment. That in itself shows how significant this victory is for us.

You mentioned that many people don't like it when Manchester City wins. Do you feel that even when the team plays very well, many people in England simply don't want you to succeed?

That's not what I meant. It's completely normal: when you win, someone is always going to be unhappy because they also have ambitions to win the title. We simply focus on our work.

Following up on the celebrations, when you read media coverage or listen to radio and television commentators, do you get the sense that the outside world is telling players how they should react to these current disputes?

No, we only do what we need to do: go out on the pitch, play football, and strive for victory. The answer is no.

Erling Haaland mentioned the team's strong mentality after the Liverpool match. Have all the events of last week made the dressing room even more united? In this situation, how important is Erling Haaland as a leader to you and to the entire team?

He is one of us, just as important as everyone else in the team. When he mentioned mental strength, that precisely shows that in this environment everyone is calm and strong enough in spirit, focused on their work, trusting the club, and playing with a smile. That truly reflects the character of this team.

A few minutes ago you said PSG is the strongest team in Europe. Many French fans are asking whether Paris can win three consecutive Champions League titles. I'd like to hear your thoughts.

Of course, I hope they won't. Paris is undoubtedly a strong team, that must be acknowledged. I know several players in their squad and I'm aware of their capabilities. You can see their tactical flexibility and adaptability at different stages of the match. The Portuguese players I know in their team also reflect the quality of this squad. To beat them, you need to display an extremely high level of performance, and that's what we're aiming for.

One last question—I want to ask about Husanović's recovery. He wasn't able to play.

He's one of us as well, very talented and physically strong. When he returns, he will be able to contribute to the team again.

Переведено ИИ.

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