Pep Guardiola to start Ukraine’s Oleksandr Zinchenko in FA Cup
Pep Guardiola says Ukraine defender Oleksandr Zinchenko will play in Manchester City’s FA Cup fifth-round tie at Peterborough on Tuesday.
The #EmiratesFACup fifth round TV picks have been selected! 📺
Which games will you be watching? 👀 pic.twitter.com/j8YESCv4oS
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) February 10, 2022
In the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Zinchenko was an unused substitute for City’s victory against Everton on Saturday.
The 25-year-old attended an anti-war vigil in Manchester city centre following the invasion and sent a since-deleted social media message that was fiercely critical of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Zinchenko was moved to tears by the display of support for Ukraine from Everton fans during City’s Premier League game at Goodison Park on Saturday.
Zinchenko & Mykolenko sharing an embrace during the warm-up.
❤️🇺🇦pic.twitter.com/dZ6mfzLJqM
— SPORTbible (@sportbible) February 26, 2022
Although the left-back didn’t play on that occasion, Guardiola on Monday revealed he is in the right frame of mind to return when City visit Championship strugglers Peterborough.
🗣 "It will be good for him to play."
Pep Guardiola confirms that Oleksandr Zinchenko will feature against Peterborough in the FA Cup pic.twitter.com/iJUQw8Mlh9
— Football Daily (@footballdaily) February 28, 2022
“I think it will be good for him to play and show the reason why he is here. He is a magnificent player and needs to play football,” Guardiola said.