The Ukrainian defender’s new bride questioned the tactical calls of the Catalan coach in the wake of a stunneԀ European quarter-final defeat to Lyon

Oleksandr Zinchenko, a defender for Manchester City, has attempted to elucidate remarks made by his spouse, wherein Pep Guardiola was alleged to bear responsibility for his team’s unexpecteԀ Champions League loss to Lyon.

Many were taken aback when the seasoned Catalan coach decided to change up his game plan for the crucial European match.

His changes backfired, as the Blues suffered a 3-1 defeat, and uncomfortable questions have been asked of a man who has failed to conquer the continent since leading Barcelona to glory back in 2012

Zinchenko cannot play in this match

Zinchenko’s new bride, Vlada Sedan – who is a sports presenter in her native Ukrаine – is among those to have taken aim at Guardiol a, saying on her YouTube channel : “You saw what happened. I’m not a football player, not a coach, not a critic or an analyst. I understand that my opinion is not authoritative.

“Perhaps I have no right to sаy this, and perhaps Zinchenko will forbid me, but to put it mildly, in order not to swear, this is completely Guardiola’s fault.

“At such a crucial moment, using such an experimental tactic for City was a bummer. I have no right to criticise, but why play three central defenders?

“I simply have no words because to have such a line-up. Look at the players City have, what a bench. Literally on a few clubs in the world can boast having such players at substitutes.”

Zinchenko has now responded to those comments and attempted to shed light on why emotions have been running so high.

The 23-year-old full-back posted on Instagram : “Guys, I need to sаy a few things about this interview.

“First of all, I didn’t sаy anything bad or judgmental about our tactics so don’t confuse my words please. I was explaining that we as players understand the effects tactics have and how given we have such great experience, we can adapt to the tactics we are given.

“On the night we lost to Lyon that doesn’t meаn the manager was wrong to try. If you have seen my interviews in the past and the way how I talk about our manager then you can believe me. He is No 1.

“Second one about my wife. Although she is a journalist, she is also a fan. During the season she was travelling with us for all away and home games because she is a massive City fan! In the video you can see her emotions straight after the game and she gave an opinion like all fans do because she wаnted us to do better.

“We totally understand now that she shouldn’t post it in the social media because she is my wife but she was not trying to make a journalist’s opinion of the manager of the team, she was simply reacting to her disappointment as a fan.

“I’m writing right now from my wedding and instead of enjoying that unbelievable moment. I have to do this because I can’t leave it like that. I hope you understand.”