Oleksandr Zinchenko has been forced to clarify comments made by his wife regarding Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola.
Pep Guardiola was heavily criticised after the 3-1 defeat in Lisbon last week, and the manager’s tactics were disputed by sports presenter Sedan on her vlog as she discussed the game with Zinchenko.
Speaking post-Lyon, the defender’s spouse stated that the loss was ‘completely Guardiola’s fault’:
“You saw what happened. I’m not a football player, not a coach, not a critic or an analyst. I understand that my opinion is not authoritative.
“Perhaps I have no right to say this, and perhaps Zinchenko will forbid me. But to put it mildly, in order not to swear, this is completely Guardiola’s fault.
“At such a crucial moment, using such an experimental tactic for City was a bummer. I have no right to criticise, but why play three central defenders? I simply have no words because to have such a line-up… look at the players City have, what a bench. Literally on a few clubs in the world can boast having such players at substitutes.”
Now, on Monday Zinchenko has released a statement addressing the above comments via his Instagram story.
In the statement, which cane be seen below, Zinchenko attempted to play down the comments as simply his wife’s emotions getting the better of her after suffering such a big loss:
“Guys, I need to say a few things about this interview,” he said. “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 effects 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 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 season she was travelling with us for all away and home games because she is a massive City fan! In the video you can see her emotions straight after the game and she gave an opinion like all fans do because she wanted us to do better.
“We totally understand now that she shouldn’t post it in the social media because she is my wife but she was not trying to make a journalist’s opinion of the manager of the team, she was simply reacting to her disappointment as a fan.
“I’m writing right now from my wedding and instead of enjoying that unbelievable moment. I have to do this because I can’t leave it like that. I hope you understand.”
In reaction to Zinchenko’s statement shared on Twitter by City Chief and Man City Xtra, City fans have expressed their thoughts and opinions.
Think before you both speak next time— City Chief | Plus (@CityChiefPlus) August 24, 2020
Whatever she said spot on even if it’s harsh pep can’t hide behind his domestic success club and board supported him from the start look at Arteta learned under him and joined shit arsenal team beat pep and Klopp and won the fa Cup that’s speaks a lot— amir tamboli (@amirtamboli8) August 24, 2020
Fair play to Zinchenko. Top bloke. I can understand his wife’s frustration as a fan. I think we should forgive and forget. Come on City 💙— Mark Francis (@mark_franny) August 24, 2020
Fair play to the Zinchenkos. It shouldn’t have reached social media but several players will be gutted we lost. Changing a winning team to pick somebody who wants to leave the Club must have infuriated many fans and players. Even Peo can make a mistake.— Singing the Blues (@TimoftheOak) August 24, 2020
Knowing Pep Guardiola he will not forgive Zinchenko. The damage is already done. He is done at this club. And rightly so. His number 11 also got taken from him, before this has happened. #MCFC #Mancity— Jacob, LL.M. (@Achillaes) August 24, 2020
Everyone has an opinion, all fans have the right to an opinion, not one city fan can honestly disagree with the comments Zins wife made, she’s a fan and frustrated, we all were. We are not in communist Russia (yet!). Pep will (and was) the 1st to say he got it wrong on the night— J Rowe (@JRowe88884228) August 24, 2020
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