Pep Guardiola has explained why Oleksandr Zinchenko was handed the captain's armband against Peterborough United in the FA Cup on Tuesday night.
It was believed that Fernandinho would captain the team, with City's own Twitter account even confirming the Brazilian would lead his teammates out at the Weston Homes Stadium.
However, 15 minutes before kick-off it was announced that Fernandinho had passed the armband over to the Ukraine international, with Zinchenko making his way onto the field ahead of his teammates while clutching the Ukrainian flag. The defender's homeland is currently in the midst of an invasion by Russia, a devastating plight that has seen the footballing world rally to support Ukraine.
ALSO READ: Man City star Oleksandr Zinchenko joins Ukrainian players to send plea amid Russian conflict
Speaking before the match to ITV, Guardiola said of Zinchenko being given the captain's armband: "Our captain decided to give it to him to show how important is the situation. We are, all the club, behind this gesture to represent his country."
"He played a lot of games in the last years and lately didn’t play much," Guardiola added. "Jack [Grealish] has come back and Gabriel [Jesus] has come back for Olek [Zinchenko] it’s important as well."
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