Man City manager Pep Guardiola has explained why Fernandinho has been left on the bench for Man City's Champions League quarter-final clash against Tottenham Hotspur.
City were a goal down going into the second leg after Spurs capitalised on an uncharacteristically poor City performance with Son Heung-min grabbing a late winner.
Guardiola came in for criticism for not starting Kevin de Bruyne and Leroy Sane in the first leg.
The attacking pair did eventually come on, but it was in the 89th minute and they had no time to change the game.
Fans were a lot more positive with the staring line-up for the second leg, as De Bruyne and Bernardo Silva started, but remain concerned that Sane was once again benched as was stalwart midfielder Fernandinho.
Guardiola was asked by BT Sport why Fernandinho was only on the bench and Guardiola explained it was purely a tactical decision.
"No he's okay," the Blues boss replied when asked if the Brazilian had a knock before saying "yes" when asked if it was "purely a tactical issue."
Guardiola was also asked about the amount of experienced players in his starting line-up, with Sergio Aguero, Vincent Kompany and David Silva all getting the nod.
"Yes but also Fernandinho has a lot of experience, so we decide for this line up, but for this kind of game we need everybody and pretty sure the people on the bench are going to help us."
Despite Tottenham losing talisman Harry Kane through injury Guardiola is still expecting a difficult evening and City need a big performance to advance to the semi-finals.
"Remain a top side, top players in front, quick, fast, quality and getting in behind and finishing. Remain a top side.
"In this competition always yeah you have to make a big performance, that's normal the level of the teams is so high."
The full Man City starting XI is: Ederson; Walker, Kompany, Laporte, Mendy; Gundogan, De Bruyne, Silva; Bernardo, Aguero, Sterling.
Substitutes: Muric, Stones, Otamendi, Fernandinho, Sane, Mahrez, Jesus.
