Oleksandr Zinchenko made Man City captain in top gesture after Ukraine heartache

dailystar.co.uk:

Manchester City have handed Oleksandr Zinchenko the captain's armband for their FA Cup tie against Peterborough United this evening in a heart-warming gesture following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.The club announced the decision on Twitter, noting that skipper Fernandinho was the man behind the move.Pep Guardiola insisted before the game that everyone "was behind the gesture" and that Fernandinho's act of kindness has shown "how how important the situation in Ukraine is"."Our captain [Fernandinho] decided to give the captain's armband to him [Oleksandr Zinchenko], to show how important is the situation [in Ukraine].

All of the club is behind this gesture, behind our captain, to represent his country," the Manchester City boss said.Guardiola has been full of praise for Zinchenko all week and applauded the defender's mental strength in the wake of the tragedy unfolding in Ukraine.Zinchenko was an unused substitute during Manchester City's 1-0 win over Everton on Saturday, but Guardiola said he was happy to pick him this evening, in spite of the ongoing conflict."It will be good for him to show why he is here and a magnificent player needs to play football," the Spaniard told reporters. "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."Would you like to see Zinchenko remain City captain for the rest of the season?

Let us know in the comments section...Zinchenko has been centre stage at the Etihad ever since war in his homeland broke out last week and in a touching moment, he and fellow Ukraine international Vitaliy Mykolenko.