Ukrainian defender Oleksandr Zinchenko will captain Manchester City during their FA Cup tie at Peterborough amid the Russian invasion on his home country.
Former Shakhtar Donetsk star, Fernandinho, was named as the captain for tonight’s fixture but handed the armband to Zinchenko in a sign of solidarity and support.
Pep Guardiola said the entire club ‘is behind the gesture’ and that Fernandinho’s act of kindness has shown ‘how important the situation in Ukraine is’.
Ukrainian defender Oleksandr Zinchenko will captain Manchester City against Peterborough
The 25-year-old (second from the left) was handed the captains armband by Fernandinho
The Manchester City manager said: ‘Our captain [Fernandinho] decided to give the captain’s armband to him [Oleksandr Zinchenko].
‘It shows how important is the situation [in Ukraine]. All of the club is behind this gesture, behind our captain, to represent his country.’
Prior to kick off, both team captains held the Ukrainian flag on the pitch at Peterborough’s Weston Homes Stadium.
A message saying ‘We Stand With Ukraine’ was also projected onto the big screen ahead of the fifth-round tie.
While, fans held banners and flags that read ‘Zinchenko: We Stand With You’ to show their support to the Manchester City defender.
The game on Tuesday evening will mark Zinchenko’s first fixture following Russia’s invasion on his homeland.
The 25-year-old defender was an unused substitute in Manchester City’s win over Everton last Saturday.
He shared an emotional moment with compatriot Vitaliy Mykolenko before returning to the bench. The pair were seen hugging despite being on opposing teams.
Pep Guardiola says the club are behind Fernandinho’s decision to hand over the armband
Fans in the stadium held flags in support of the Ukrainian defender on Tuesday evening
Prior to City’s FA Cup tie on Tuesday evening, Guardiola praised the mental strength shown by the 25-year-old following Russia’s full-scale invasion on his homeland.
The Manchester City boss felt it would be ‘good for’ the defender to start their fifth-round tie at Peterborough.
Guardiola said: ‘It will be good for him to show why he is here and a magnificent player needs to play football.
‘Human beings have the ability to adapt and overcome difficult situations. Of course he cannot be happy but in training with his mates, talking in the locker room… football is so addictive, the ball is so attractive.
‘He can forget for a short time. Then when he comes back home to his wife and daughter I can imagine it must be tough.’
Zinchenko and Vitaliy Mykolenko hugged one another before kick-off on Saturday at Everton
Zinchenko and his wife Vlada Shcheglovam attend St Peter’s Square to protest (above)
Zinchenko, who has 48 international caps for Ukraine, has been vocal in his support for his homeland – declaring he ‘can’t stay back’ while his country is attacked.
The 25-year-old was spotted in St Peter’s Square in Manchester City Centre just hours after Putin ordered a full-scale invasion of Ukraine last Thursday morning.
He also took to Instagram on Monday to call on governing bodies to ban Russia and its athletes from international competitions.
