Dias: We'll fight with everything we've got to try and win the FA Cup
Dias: We'll fight with everything we've got to try and win the FA Cup
Ruben Dias says City will go into Sunday's FA Cup semi-final against Nottingham Forest armed with a burning desire to take one step closer to lifting the famous trophy once again.
The Wembley showdown with Nuno Espirito Santo's side will be City's seventh successive FA Cup semi-final – a record-breaking stat that bears witness to the Club's passion for the competition.
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City have also reached the last two finals – beating Manchester United 2-1 in the 2023 showpiece en-route to the Treble before then being edged out by United in last season's all-Manchester Cup final repeat.
Dias was part of the City squad that tasted Wembley success two years ago – and looking ahead to Sunday's Forest clash, he made plain how important FA Cup success would be this season.
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'It is a big chance for us to add some silverware to this season,' the Portuguese centre half declared.
'We have three main targets, and we are going to fight with everything we have got for all three of them.
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'The FA Cup, I have won it already, but many in the team haven't, and we all share the same ambition, and we know how important it is to do it.
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'It is a really good Cup to win, so we are very focused on it.'
Given the myriad injuries and hurdles City have had to overcome this term, Dias' impact and leadership qualities have arguably never been more crucial.
The 27-year-old's example and encouragement to the rest of his colleagues has helped galvanise City – especially over the past month or so with Guardiola's side going into Sunday's clash unbeaten in all competitions since early March.
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That said all of Dias' leadership qualities have been evident ever since he joined City back in September 2020.
And for his part, the Portugal international says he is only too happy to try provide a lead to his team-mates.
'I feel like whoever is a leader in the team or whoever is not, I always feel like everyone has to be a leader of their own selves,' Dias added.
WATCH: FA Cup extended highlights: Bournemouth 1-2 City
'By consequence of that you will be a good influence on the team.
'And in difficult moments like this season, I feel like everyone has needed to step up and be there for the team in the way the team needs them.'
Nottingham Forest v City app coverage
Our official Man City app allows you to follow all of the action from Wembley in one place.
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Minute-by-minute text updates will begin in our Matchday Centre two hours before kick-off, while our Matchday Live show will begin at around 15:15 (UK).
Andy Morrison and Nicky Weaver will be the guests on the latest Matchday Live show, offering their expert insight before, during and after the action.
During the game, you can also listen to live audio commentary from Alistair Mann and Michael Brown (via CITY+), 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.
You can access a CITY+ full-match replay from midnight after the game while a shortened and extended highlights package can be accessed from 12:00 (UK) on Monday.
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