TASK FORCE

CITY'S SUCCESS FOUNDED ON PARTNERSHIP OF STONES AND DIAS

- SIMON BAJKOWSKI

In the biggest games last season, Pep Guardiola turned to Ruben Dias and John Stones.

In the Champions League against Bayern twice, Real twice, and then Inter, it was Stones and Dias. In the FA Cup final against United, it was Stones and Dias. And in the Premier League decider against Arsenal, it was Stones and Dias.

The roving role of Stones meant they weren't always next to each other in the Manchester City team but it was always a close partnership where both players knew exactly what the other was doing and could anticipate and accommodate as the game unfolded.