Pep Guardiola stunned as Fernandinho announced his departure from Man City before Atletico duel

Pep Guardiola says City of Manchester will “play for Fernandinho” against Atlético Madrid on Wednesday after the midfielder caused a shock in his pre-match press conference by announcing his decision to leave the club.

Fernandinho, 36, told reporters on Tuesday that he will not be renewing his contract at the Etihad Stadium and plans to leave the club and return to Brazil in the summer. Asked shortly afterwards about the revelation, Guardiola said he was unaware of the captain’s decision but said the team would do everything in Madrid to go one step further towards the Champions League final in Paris in May. and put Fernandinho on the right pitch.

– A guide for viewers on ESPN+: La Liga, Bundesliga, MLS, FA Cup, more
– No ESPN? Instant access

“Oh,” said Guardiola after being briefed on Fernandinho’s decision. “I didn’t know that. You gave me the news. I didn’t know it.

“He’s very important to me, but I’ll talk to him. Maybe [director of football] Txiki [Begiristain] knew it and didn’t tell me. It was a surprise to me – I didn’t know it.

“We will play tomorrow for him. We will try to play for him tomorrow and give him the best farewell moment, reaching the semi-finals of the Champions League again after trying. go through it again.”

Speaking earlier in a press conference at the City Football Academy, Fernandinho was asked about his future after almost 10 years in Manchester. He has been restricted to 23 appearances in all competitions this season and when asked if he would like to sign a new contract at the Etihad, he replied: “I don’t think so. I want to play. I do. going back to Brazil. I. decide with my family, that’s the most important thing for me.”

Later on Tuesday, Fernandinho tweeted: “I was 100% honest and natural in answering that question in today’s press conference. But anyone who knows me knows that my greatest honesty is with Man City and my duties as captain.”

I was 100% honest and natural in answering that question in today’s press conference. But anyone who knows me knows that my greatest honesty is with Man City and my duties as captain.

– Fernandinho (@fernandinho) April 12, 2022

City lead 1-0 against the Spanish capital after Kevin De BruyneGoal in the first leg in Manchester last week. Ruben Dias will be traveling after returning to training from a hamstring injury but won’t be fit enough to start.

“He’s traveling with us, and the rest of them are consistent,” said Guardiola. “From early tomorrow, no, because he has a training session after a six-week break. It’s a bit early, but the fact that he’s back is amazing.”

Atletico criticized for being too defensive at the Etihad, but Guardiola is expecting a different game plan with Diego Simeone at the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium on Wednesday with his team needing to score at least twice to get through.

“We intend to win the game,” added Guardiola. “I think it will be a little bit different from the first leg because they play at home and at home they create real moments.

“There will be times when they are going to be higher and cause problems. We have to adapt and defend in those moments.”