Ruben Dias shares ‘final’ message after Man City exit confirmed
Kevin De Bruyne’s departure from the Etihad Stadium has led to tributes from both current and former Manchester City players.
Man City reignited their push toward next season’s Champions League with a 3-1 win over Bournemouth on Tuesday, and bounced back from their 1-0 defeat in the FA Cup Final to Crystal Palace in the process.
Omar Marmoush’s 35-yard opener caused pandemonium at the Etihad, before Bernardo Silva and Nico Gonzalez’s strikes at the back end of each half sealed the points prior to a Daniel Jebbison consolation.
Regardless of the result, the day belonged to De Bruyne, who led City to victory in his final home game in a performance cut short when he was withdrawn for Gonzalez in the wake of Mateo Kovacic’s red card.
De Bruyne hailed as ‘Genius’ in Dias message at Man City
Tributes for the Man City captain have poured in after De Bruyne signed off his career at the Etihad with a win, although the Belgian was denied a goal when an apparent tap-in from close range hit the crossbar.
De Bruyne’s withdrawal midway through the second half may have led to a late goal as Gonzalez crashed home his first in the Premier League, but a mistake in added time resulted in Bournemouth’s consolation.
Ruben Dias was undersold by a Matheus Nunes back-pass which allowed Jebbison to run clear and slot beyond Ederson, but the he picked himself up after the match to post a tribute on Instagram (21 May).
In a post liked by City team-mates John Stones and Jack Grealish, Dias said of De Bruyne: “Last night was about you. Friend, Genius, Warrior and a true legend of this club.
“Was a pleasure to share so many titles with you Kevin De Bruyne. One more final to go!”
Dias to step up at Man City after De Bruyne exit
De Bruyne’s future remains up in the air as he prepares to depart the Etihad, and Football Insider reported last month that the Man City captain has been “inundated with offers” ahead of the summer.
Guardiola’s search for De Bruyne’s successor is already well underway, with Dani Olmo identified as an alternative to the £125million-rated Florian Wirtz as Bayer Leverkusen stand firmly behind his price tag.
Dias is one of four vice-captains who deputise for De Bruyne at the Etihad, and alongside Silva, Rodri and Ilkay Gundogan, he’s a senior player who must step up and lead what’s expected to be a new-look City team next term.