(Reuters) – Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola mentioned Oleksandr Zinchenko is prepared to play within the return leg of their Champions League final-16 tie against Sporting, and that the Ukraine worldwide may very well be referred to as upon to fill in a depleted backline.
City had been dominant from begin to end within the first leg to all however seal their spot within the quarter-finals with a 5-0 win, which was the joint-largest successful margin in a Champions League knockout recreation.
However, the Premier League membership are in need of defensive choices heading into the second leg, with Ruben Dias and Nathan Ake dominated out due to accidents, whereas Joao Cancelo will miss Wednesday’s recreation via sickness.
“Zinchenko is prepared, not a simple interval for him, completely not, however I feel he’d be prepared if he has to play,” Guardiola advised reporters on Tuesday. “We haven’t got many gamers, simply 14 obtainable, just a few issues.
“Of course, we had an unimaginable consequence within the first leg, however soccer is unpredictable. Not many alternate options however we are going to put out the most effective workforce attainable to win the sport.”
City’s defensive points have been compounded by Kyle Walker’s three-match ban from UEFA competitors, which got here after he was despatched off in City’s final group stage recreation, a 2-1 loss to RB Leipzig, for kicking Andre Silva.
The English membership appealed the choice, however had their enchantment turned down by UEFA, which Guardiola mentioned was the suitable final result.
“Walker deserved the three (match ban), he did a silly factor and he deserved it,” Guardiola mentioned. “I’m nonetheless so indignant with him. He is aware of it. He’s so essential for us, see how he performed against Manchester United?
“Against Leipzig he did this motion once we had already certified, he deserved it. The membership appealed (the ban) however I don’t agree. Hopefully, he’ll be taught for the longer term.”
The Spaniard additionally heaped reward on captain Fernandinho, who’s out of contract on the finish of the season, and mentioned the 36-12 months-previous midfielder had what it takes to make the transition into administration.
“Fernandinho and Kevin De Bruyne have been in all of the conferences for the final six years and once we’re taking part in they know what wants to occur,” Guardiola mentioned.
“At halftime when we have now time to sort things they speak and each participant has the liberty to achieve this. I adore it when gamers speak in regards to the recreation.
“I have not spoken about data, ardour, license to be supervisor with Fernandino, however as a holding midfielder and captain, he’s all the time fascinated by the membership. He has all the things to be a supervisor.”
(Reporting by Aadi Nair in Bengaluru; Editing by Christian Radnedge)
