It’s been an up-and-down campaign to date for the Premier League champions, sitting fifth in the top-flight and finishing 22nd in the new-look Champions League table.

That league phase finish booked us a play-off tie with Real Madrid, with the first leg to be played at the Etihad Stadium at 20:00 (UK) on Tuesday evening.

It will be the fourth successive season we have faced the 15-time European champions, with the victor in each of the last three terms going on to lift the trophy.

Ahead of the beginning of the two-legged affair, Dias is confident that City can again challenge for silverware this year.

The 27-year-old marked his 200th City appearance in the FA Cup at Leyton Orient on Saturday and is accustomed to success, lifting the Premier League each season amongst a total of nine major honours.

“Since I have been here this is maybe the most difficult season so far, but I am a firm believer that in the most difficult scenario you can still achieve something beautiful,” he said to assembled media at the City Football Academy on Monday.

“We know it will be difficult to get there but we have to believe in what we have in the dressing room.

“With the right belief, we are able to do anything.”

This is only the fourth time in European Cup history that two teams have played each other four seasons in a row.

Dias says that means City are well aware of the many threats that last season’s winners pose and that a strong defence will be essential if we’re to progress.

“Obviously it is one of the most difficult opponents you can face in the Champions League. We know very well what we are up against,” he stated.

“I would not say it will be intense or not, but it is one of the toughest games you can have, surely.

“We have faced many teams who have players who can make a difference - but in the Champions League that is what you get.

“They have an ability to be more flexible than most teams. We need to be solid at the back - the more solid we are, the more chance we have.”

Portuguese defender is enduring his most injury-affected season at City so far having been sidelined for large chunks of November, December and January.

He returned from his latest absence at the weekend and with other defensive options currently unavailable, he’s prepared to help the team in any way possible.

“It has been frustrating especially after my first injury. I came back but everyone is injured and I had to play all the games,” he said.

“I got injured against [Manchester] United and it is frustrating to miss out. You want to be there next to your family on the pitch.

“But you help in whatever way you can and the best thing is to recover as well and as fast as you can.

“With the staff we have, we have to take wise decisions. The schedule is ruthless.”