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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
Josh Challies

Man City defender Oleksandr Zinchenko criticised for Champions League final display

Manchester City defender Oleksandr Zinchenko attracted criticism following Chelsea's opening goal in the Champions League final.

Pep Guardiola's side fell behind in the first half as Kai Havertz found space before pushing the ball past the onrushing Ederson and tapping home into an empty net.

Zinchenko was named as a starter ahead of Joao Cancelo, with Guardiola causing surprise with his selections as he opted to start Raheem Sterling and left both Fernandinho and Rodri out of the side.

It was Chelsea that had the better opportunities in the opening 45 minutes though, with Havertz netting the opening goal to give Thomas Tuchel's side the lead.

What do Manchester City need to change in the second half? Let us know in the comments below.

The role of the City full-back in the goal came under criticism at the interval though, with the BT Sport pundits analysing his involvement.

“Zinchenko has to go with him here, he’s at the bottom of the picture with him there. It’s lazy defending, go with your man, or if he stands in there and marks him, that ball doesn’t get played through," Rio Ferdinand said.

Joleon Lescott added: “I don’t know what he’s thinking about. It’s a great ball, great touch from Mount and a great run, but as a full-back, you’ve got to be inside of him because if he is then Mount doesn’t play that ball.”

Tuchel has won both of his meetings with Guardiola since taking the reins in west London as Frank Lampard's successor and is looking to make it three in a row.

City, meanwhile, have already lifted the Carabao Cup and Premier League this season but are looking to cap off a remarkable season with the biggest prize of all.

Guardiola's side have overcome the likes of Borussia Dortmund and Paris Saint-Germain to seal their spot in the final.

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