Oleksandr Zinchenko: Ukraine defender handed Man City captain's armband for FA Cup tie
- Published
The team wanted Zinchenko to be captain - Guardiola
Manchester City's Ukraine defender Oleksandr Zinchenko was given the captain's armband for Tuesday's FA Cup win at Peterborough as conflict in his home country continues.
Fernandinho, who signed for City from Ukrainian side Shakhtar Donetsk, was initially named captain.
The former Brazil midfielder then offered the armband to Zinchenko, 25, in a sign of solidarity and support.
City boss Pep Guardiola said Zinchenko was in the right frame of mind to play.
Both team captains held the Ukrainian flag on the pitch before kick-off in the fifth-round tie at Peterborough's Weston Homes Stadium, which the visitors won 2-0 thanks to goals from Riyad Mahrez and Jack Grealish.
A message on the big screen read "We Stand With Ukraine" while fans held up a banner which read 'Zinchenko: We Stand With You'.
The game was the first Zinchenko had played in since his homeland was invaded by Russia - the 25-year-old was an unused substitute in City's win over Everton last Saturday.
"Our captain decided to give the armband to him, to show how important the situation is," Guardiola said.
"It is not an easy period for Alex. His citizens in Ukraine are living in a terrible, crazy and insane situation. Hopefully this nightmare can finish as soon as possible.
"All the people here at Peterborough, not just our fans, showed him warmth."
Fans with a banner in support of Oleksandr Zinchenko before kick-off
Zinchenko joined an anti-war vigil outside Manchester's Central Library last week and was emotional as he embraced Everton's Ukraine international Vitaliy Mykolenko before City's game at Goodison Park.
On Monday, Zinchenko shared a statement on Instagram calling on governing bodies to ban Russia and its athletes from international competitions.
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