Ruben Dias Blasts Man City’s Defending After Costly Mistakes in Defeat to Spurs
City skipper left frustrated after gifting Tottenham a second goal, as Guardiola faces renewed questions over his goalkeeper choices.
Manchester City’s opening Premier League game of the season ended in disappointment as they suffered a 2-0 defeat against Tottenham Hotspur — and Ruben Dias did not hold back in his assessment of the team’s defending.
City started the game brightly and looked in control during the early stages, but a poor defensive lapse allowed Brennan Johnson to give Spurs the lead against the run of play. Things then went from bad to worse when a shocking mix-up inside their own penalty area gifted Tottenham their second goal before half-time.
The moment came when Dias played the ball short to goalkeeper James Trafford from a goal kick. Trafford, making just his second Premier League start since joining from Burnley, passed to summer signing Nico Gonzalez, who was immediately closed down by Tottenham midfielder Pape Matar Sarr. The press worked perfectly, with Sarr dispossessing Gonzalez and setting up Joao Palhinha to score Spurs’ second goal.
Dias was left stunned by the manner of the goal and admitted such mistakes should never happen at this level.
“The second goal is unfortunate, it cannot happen,” the Portuguese defender told TNT Sports. “We chased but there was a lot of things to do better. Not everything was good in our first game and not everything is bad now, so we have to get back to work. Spurs are a team who can be very dangerous, they started the game very well. We didn’t react the best way in sticking to our game.”
The defeat raised fresh questions about City’s goalkeeper situation, especially with Ederson’s future still uncertain. Reports in Turkey suggest Galatasaray remain interested in the Brazilian, whose contract is entering its final year. With just over a week left in the transfer window, manager Pep Guardiola and the club’s recruitment team must quickly decide whether they need to move for a new goalkeeper.
Italy international Gianluigi Donnarumma is one option that has been discussed, especially after Manchester United switched their focus towards signing Belgian youngster Senne Lammens instead. Donnarumma’s future at Paris Saint-Germain also remains unclear, leaving him potentially available.
When asked why Trafford had started ahead of Ederson for the second straight week, Guardiola backed his young goalkeeper, insisting it was a matter of giving everyone opportunities.
“He made a good first game, James, and I decided to continue,” Guardiola explained. “When I take decisions in the first part of the season everyone thinks okay this is the starting line-up and these are the players who are going to play, but everybody will play. It was just today I decided that.”
Trafford impressed in City’s 4-0 win over Wolves last weekend, but the error against Spurs will inevitably place him under the spotlight. At just 21 years old, the England youth international has shown promise, yet mistakes like this could cost City valuable points in a season where every margin matters.
For Guardiola, the task now is not only to lift his players after the loss but also to find the right balance between trusting young talent and maintaining the standards that have made City serial winners. Dias’ honest words reflect the mindset within the dressing room — they know errors like this must be cut out if they are to challenge for the title again.
With games coming thick and fast, Guardiola, sporting director Hugo Viana, and goalkeeping coach Xabi Mancisidor face a huge decision: stick with Trafford and Ederson, or make a late move for Donnarumma before the window closes.
