Manchester City captain Rúben Dias recently gave an interview to NBC Sports, where he discussed the changes that have taken place at Manchester City since the arrival of new manager Enzo Maresca, player movements, and expressed his confidence in maintaining high standards and continuing the team's winning streak under Maresca's guidance. Below is the first part of this exclusive interview.

Related: [Rúben Dias: Haaland Makes Scoring Incredibly Easy, We're Very Lucky to Have Him]

Today we're very pleased to welcome Portugal international and Manchester City star Rúben Dias. First of all, Rúben, how are you doing? How's life in Manchester? Did you have a good summer break? Although Manchester City has undergone many changes at this stage, you've still performed very well at the start of the season. Would you say things are going smoothly so far?

Yes, it's been a great summer. The break was short but very enjoyable. Now we're back in the season, and I'm very excited about everything ahead. Obviously, as you mentioned, the team has gone through many changes with new players arriving and teammates departing. Of course, there's also a new manager who has brought fresh tactical ideas in certain areas. Overall, everyone is very positive about the current situation, which is very exciting.

Speaking of Manchester City, with so many changes, some outsiders believe it could affect your pursuit of various titles this season. But based on what you've just said, it seems that's not the case. Do you feel the same way? Since Enzo Maresca previously worked as an assistant coach at Manchester City, does that mean there are only minor tactical adjustments and players have adapted very naturally to these new ideas?

Yes, ultimately, Enzo was one of the coaches who won the treble. He was at Manchester City that season, and it was far from an ordinary season. As for the other changes, the club naturally makes decisions it deems necessary, and perhaps at this stage such significant adjustments were indeed needed. We can approach this calmly and move forward. Obviously, the new players who arrived all come here with a winners' mentality—they're ambitious. So we're fully embracing Enzo's tactical philosophy and moving forward with confidence, and everyone is enthusiastic about it.

Since you mentioned that glorious treble-winning season, what role did Enzo Maresca play in it? Can you share some details you remember, such as key moments when he coached you on the training ground and how he provided substantial support during that incredibly successful and remarkable season?

At that time, he was an assistant coach—more specifically, he was the lead assistant coach of the team. So his influence was obviously decisive. We shared many good memories during that time. But at the same time, all that is in the past; it belongs to history, a wonderful past. What we want to write now is a new chapter in our story.

So from a tactical perspective, what changes do you think have occurred? I think everyone has noticed some subtle differences, but is what Maresca brings just a refinement of details? Can you tell us what the specific feel is like for Manchester City in this regard in the current season?

I don't want to reveal too many tactical details because I don't think it's appropriate to go into specifics. However, obviously there are some detailed adjustments that make the style of play quite different. But on a broader conceptual level, the overall framework remains very close to what we've always pursued: how we try to exploit our opponents' weaknesses, the importance we place on ball possession, and how crucial ball control is to us. Of course, in how we press our opponents and the intensity we display, we're doing everything we can to improve even further, working hard to refine every aspect to the maximum to achieve peak efficiency on the pitch.

Rúben, as one of the leaders of this Manchester City team, it seems to come naturally to you, and you appear to enjoy this role. Is that true? Your on-field play almost makes people feel you're a natural leader. Can you describe that feeling?

Actually, I don't think I'm obsessed with the "leader" role. What I truly love is winning. That's why I've always been this way; I always put the team first rather than focus too much on myself. Ultimately, as long as we can win, as long as I can unite everyone working toward the same goal, I'll give my all. So I think this stems mainly from my principles, my understanding of football, and my drive to pursue victory.

Rúben, the other day I looked at the starting lineup for the latest first-team match, and in that lineup only Phil Foden has been at Manchester City longer than you. That's an extremely long and stable commitment for you. What do you think is the main reason behind all this? Before you know it, you'll have spent a very long time at Manchester City.

What do I attribute this to? My ambitions, the club's trust in me, and of course the fact that we've won countless trophies together. Yesterday's glory is the past, and we hunger to win more, to reach the top again. So essentially, everything that will happen in the future stems from the fact that our ambitions remain perfectly aligned with the club's great vision.

How important is mental resilience during these long years? We all know how demanding top-level competition is physically, but competing at the peak of world football, constantly preparing for high-intensity matches every three days for many years, can you describe how difficult this is and what you need to endure to sustain it?

Sometimes you feel heavily burdened; the fixtures are extremely congested, and it's very draining. But as I mentioned, I'm always surrounded by incredibly outstanding players, some of whom have already retired. In those moments, besides witnessing their happiness at their achievements, I was also witness to their sadness and melancholy when they could no longer compete on the pitch. I transformed that awareness into a valuable opportunity to reflect on myself and my career, to deeply consider how important it is to cherish each day and be grateful that I can be here and now.

This is my seventh season at the highest level of the Premier League, and I deeply love this sport. I even hope this time never ends. But one day it will, and because of that, I'm fully focused on enjoying everything it gives me: from every training session to every match, every opportunity to step on the grass, to sweat in this shirt and be surrounded by people who all want to win just as badly as I do, where everyone is ambitious. This is a great blessing, and sometimes this fortune can be overshadowed by restlessness, easily lost in the swift passage of time and high-intensity rhythm. But I see it very clearly; I know that this is likely the greatest happiness in life, so I want to enjoy it as much as possible.

Переведено ИИ.

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