The Premier League champions face their toughest game of the season so far when they take on the runners-up in the last two seasons in a huge clash on Sunday (22.09.24) and the defender says his team are determined to prove that they are still the side to beat.

Dias said: "There's no running away from them, hiding from them, if you want to be the best as a team, individually, in this league.

"We're not hiding from nothing. We want them to come and we want to be the best.

"The season has just started. I'd say we're still far from our best. We were very good but we're still progressing in quality of playing, in mentality, everything.

"We were happy with the performance. We were solid both attacking and defending and it was very minor, the difference between winning or not.

"It's another learning (curve). We have a lot to improve and we look forward for what's coming."

City go into the game on the back off a frustrating 0-0 draw against Inter Milan in the Champions League but Dias felt that it was a "point gained" from strong opposition.

The Portugal international said: "It's one (point) gained. We always want the three but the team performed well.

"We had clear chances to finish in the second half. We didn't, but it's football. We're not playing against any team.

"Just like in the final in Istanbul (in 2023), they're still a very strong side and have a lot of quality.

"For us, these are the games that make us be better and stronger."