National team manager insists country ‘needs to be able to win without’ Manchester City star

Manchester City’s Ruben Dias will be absent from the Portugal set-up during the November international break through injury, it has been confirmed.

The 27-year-old was ruled out of action for Manchester City after the 2-1 defeat to Tottenham in the Carabao Cup fourth round, having picked up a muscular issue prior to his appearance and aggravating the problem when called upon at the last minute.

Dias is one of a number of Manchester City’s defensive names to be ruled out through a lack of fitness or an injury problem at present, joining the likes of Manuel Akanji, Nathan Ake, and John Stones in recovering over the international break.

All four of the aforementioned defensive mainstays are also absent from their respective national sides during the final international break of 2024, further highlighting the need for a recovery period in order to be fit for a hectic fixture list over the coming months.

Speaking ahead of Portugal’s upcoming UEFA Nations League fixtures across the next two weeks, manager Roberto Martinez insisted on the importance of Manchester City’s Ruben Dias, but stressed that his side must be able to win without their star defender.

“A team has to be prepared for the opponent and for injuries,” Martinez explained.

He continued, “Rúben Dias is a very important player for us, because he is a coach on the pitch. He is a key player; he communicates very well and controls the line defensive.

“Now is the opportunity for other players, but also a challenge for everyone. We need to be able to win games without Rúben Dias.”

Joining Ruben Dias is being absent from the latest Portugal selection is Manchester City forward Matheus Nunes, who withdrew from his call-up earlier this week through a lack of fitness.

The former Wolves man has been a revelation since coming into Pep Guardiola’s plans in light of fitness and injury problems picked up by Jack Grealish and Jeremy Doku, providing the second-most goal contributions in the Manchester City team this season.

It remains to be seen whether Ruben Dias, among others, will have returned to full fitness by the team club football returns after the international break, with Manchester City welcoming Tottenham Hotspur to the Etihad Stadium on Saturday 23 November.