Pep Guardiola says Manchester City ‘do not have many choices’ in defence
Pep Guardiola states Manchester City”don’t have lots of options” in defence after he had been forced to area midfielder Fernandinho as a makeshift centre-back.
The Brazilian has been deployed alongside City’s only fit Nicolas Otamendi, senior defender, in Wednesday’s 3-0 Champions League win at Shakhtar Donetsk.
John Stones is outside for five months due to a muscle injury and Aymeric Laporte is recovering from knee surgery, but Guardiola states midfielder Fernandinho has the nature and experience to solve their injury crisis.
“I didn’t have doubts that he would [seem comfortable in the back four]. That’s why he’s so critical for us,” Guardiola stated, after committing Fernandinho the extra duty of captaincy in his first start of the season.
“We do not have many options… he’s the only one I have. Other players can perform in that place but Fernandinho is a smart player – an extraordinary guy.
“He’s a lot of experience and personality and what he says that the folks today follow him in the locker room so it’s critical.”
Fernandinho, who produced 2 interceptions and had a departure precision of 90 per cent against Shakhtar, included:”I’ve been coaching in this place since the start of the season.
“Now was my opportunity, I hope I could improve. It was a quiet night at the back although the group have made an excellent game… as we played with as a group.”
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