Pep Guardiola has defended his decision to bring on a left-back instead of winger Ferran Torres with Manchester City needing a goal to find a winner against West Ham.
After Phil Foden cancelled out Michail Antonio's opener for West Ham, City were pressing throughout the second half to find a winner that ultimately never came.
With 12 minutes left, Guardiola made his final substitution, but instead of bringing on Torres, who had scored off the bench in the midweek win over Porto, he changed his full-backs with Aleks Zinchenko replacing Kyle Walker.
The move saw Zinchenko slot in at left-back, with Joao Cancelo moving to the right, and Guardiola revealed that having a natural left-footer on the left was the reason for the move.
He told BT Sport: "It was to have a left-footed [player on] left, and right-footed on right.
"That was the reason why because on the left we go inside and the right we have problems to lose the balls and needed to play more on the left."
Guardiola expanded on the reason for the change in his post-match press conference, explaining how Walker's fitness also played a role in the decision.
"He (Walker) was exhausted," the manager said, saying he is likely to play in Marseille on Tuesday despite the fitness concerns. "He has played every minute here and with the national team. He is exhausted.
"I don't think [he will be rested in Marseille], tomorrow we will regenerate, we will travel to France and see how the people feel."
