Pundit Eamon Dunphy has hailed Manchester City star Ruben Dias as ‘magnificent’ in Saturday’s Champions League final against Inter.
City made history at the weekend as they completed a Treble, becoming only the second English side ever to achieve the feat.
A second-half strike from Rodri was the difference at the Ataturk Stadium.
City have been non-stop partying since the victory. And fans will get a chance to join in this evening in Manchester, as the players show off the three trophies at the parade.
It’s been a truly outstanding campaign from City, who went to another level from February onwards.
And one man who had a major impact on City becoming so fearsome in the second half of the season was Dias.
The centre-half struggled with a hamstring injury around New Year, and City did stutter without him.
But he has been a rock over the last few months, and on Saturday against Inter he was incredible.
Eamon Dunphy praises Ruben Dias for his performance in the Champions League final against Inter
City fans know their side weren’t at their best against Inter.
But that was never going to matter so long as City won the game.
But there were a few superb performances from City players in sky blue. Ederson has come in for a lot of praise for some great saves he made. And John Stones is also lapping up the compliments.
But Dias was a colossus, and Dunphy – who spent around 12 years in English football with Millwall, Charlton Athletic and Reading – said of the Portuguese (buzz.ie): “The way to win is by having focus.
“Ruben Dias certainly had. The big Portuguese defender was magnificent on Saturday, curtailing so many of Inter’s threats. When City were at their worst in Saturday’s final, he was at his best.”
Manchester would not have won the Treble without Ruben Dias find his best form after injury
It is good to see some acknowledgement for Dias, whose impact on the team this season was seismic.
The £65 million man is just a brilliant out-and-out defender.
He’s always there in the right positions and throws his body in the way of things time after time after time.
On Saturday, he was easily in the top three best players out of everyone who took the field.
That clearance after the Ederson save from Romelu Lukaku was perhaps as important as Rodri getting the goal.
He is just a phenomenal player. And there’s no doubt he will become first captain at the club in the not too distant future.
