UCL exit: Zinchenko distances self from wife’s comments on Guardiola

Oleksandr Zinchenko has taken time out of his wedding day to distance himself from highly critical comments made by his wife about Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola.

Zinchenko appeared to back up his then-fiancee in the YouTube video but has now taken to his Instagram page to
explain the comments – and he admitted the episode has impacted his wedding day for the worse.

His statement reads: “Guys, I need to say a few things about this interview. First of all, I didn’t say anything bad or judgmental about our tactics so don’t confuse my words please.

“I was explaining that we as players understand the effect tactics have and how given we have such great experience, we can adapt to the tactics we are given.

“On the night we lost to Lyon but that doesn’t mean the manager was wrong to try. If you have seen my interviews in the past and the way how I talk about our manager then you can believe me. He is number one.

“Second one about my wife. Although she is a journalist, she is also a fan. During the whole season she was travelling with us for all away and home games because she is a massive City fan!

City were stunned by Lyon to exit the Champions League at the hands of underdogs Lyon at the quarter-final stage nine days ago.

Guardiola was criticised for his tactics during the match, which saw City field an unusual XI with three centre-backs and leave many of their creative stars on the bench.

And Vlada Sedan, a Ukrainian television presenter, pinned the blame for the defeat on the Spaniard in no uncertain terms.

“Perhaps I have no right to say this, perhaps Zinchenko will forbid me. But to put it mildly, and in order not to
swear, this is completely Guardiola’s fault,” she said in a YouTube video.”At such a crucial moment, making such an experimental tactic for Man City is a bummer.

“I have no right to criticise, but why play three central defenders when the players themselves take their heads.

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“I simply have no words, because to have such a line-up… look what players play at Man City, what a bench.
Literally few clubs in the world can boast such reserves.”