Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has revealed that one member of his squad pushed for Oleksandr Zinchenko to captain the club on Tuesday night.
City progressed into the quarter-finals of the FA Cup with a hard-fought 2-0 victory over Peterborough.
The bottom-placed Championship side proved a real test for Guardiola’s side, but a smart solo goal from Riyad Mahrez in the 60th minute set the tone for the final third of the match.
Jack Grealish then ensured that City left Weston Homes Stadium with the win after touching down an exquisite 50-yard pass from Phil Foden and tucking the ball past Steven-Andreas Benda.
But the moment of the evening happened before the match even kicked off as Ukrainian star Zinchenko led the City team out donning the captain’s armband before taking photos with the Ukraine flag, carried out by Posh captain Frankie Kent.
Speaking about the decision to captain the versatile defender, Guardiola told ITV Sport: “Our captain (Fernandinho) decided to give the armband to him, to show how important the situation is.
"We are all at the club behind this gesture and behind my captain, who represents his country."
Despite making a rare start for City, Fernandinho was keen for Zinchenko to lead the club out during his incredibly tough time.
After the game, Guardiola continued: “Of course, it is not an easy period for Alex.
"He got not just [support from our fans], but all around the world, the UK, about this insane situation we are living in right now.
"Playing football is the best way for him. We are through to the next round and it was a good night knowing the difficulty of the FA Cup away.
"They (Peterborough) started much better than us in the second half but the rest, we controlled difficult conditions on the pitch, we adapted well and at the end, the quality of the players made the difference."
It remains to be seen whether Zinchenko will continue to be named the City captain for the foreseeable future whilst his homeland continues to be attacked by Russia.
The 25-year-old has shown immense strength and willingness to not take time away from football to cope with the suffering in his Ukraine, and Guardiola has stressed the importance of keeping the left-back in and amongst the team.
The former Barcelona boss said: “Human beings have the ability to adapt and overcome difficult situations.
“When he's at home, talking to family and friends and seeing the videos (of the war), of course, he cannot be happy.
“But in training with his mates, in the locker room, the ball is so attractive. He can forget for a short time. Then he goes back to his wife and daughter and it must be tough.”
City take on rivals Manchester United this weekend in what is set to be, as ever, a tough and ferocious tie, though the Etihad Stadium outfit are firm favourites to come out on top against Ralf Rangnick’s side.
Title rivals Liverpool take on West Ham on Saturday evening in what will certainly be a tight game.
