MX23RW : Tuesday, March 11 19:15:59| >> :120:30363:30363:
[monks data]
Attendance: 33,154
Shakhtar Donetsk
Champions League | Group Stage
Dec 6, 2017 at 7.45pm UK
 
Manchester City logo

2-1

Bernard (26'), Ismaily (32')
FT(HT: 2-0)
Aguero (90' pen.)

Pep Guardiola: 'Tough to overlook Bernardo Silva for selection'

Pep Guardiola insists that Bernardo Silva is "ready to play" regular football for Manchester City, but he must first force his way past a number of midfield players.

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has admitted that "it is so difficult" to leave playmaker Bernardo Silva out of the first-team picture.

The 23-year-old arrived from Monaco in a £43m transfer during the summer and was expected to go straight into Guardiola's plans.

Silva has instead had to remain patient, however, starting just three Premier League games all season and two in the Champions League.

Ahead of Wednesday evening's meeting with Shakhtar Donetsk, which the Portuguese looks certain to play a part in, Guardiola explained his reasons behind overlooking the summer recruit.

"Leroy [Sane] needed time to adapt a bit - to the way we play," he told reporters. "Bernardo doesn't - he believes and is ready to play. It's because I decide [that he doesn't]. My feeling is that he's playing at a high level.

"Leroy was not confident at the start of last season, he didn't believe how good he was. Bernardo is very good. It's so difficult to leave him out. Bernardo is in the same situation as Gabriel Jesus and Sergio Aguero.

"He's able to play and has amazing quality and personality. He is not scared. It doesn't matter where he plays. But other players are on top form."

Sane, Raheem Sterling, Kevin De Bruyne and namesake David have blocked versatile midfielder Silva's route into the starting lineup.

ID:313473: cacheID:313473:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:2735:
Written by
Daniel Lewis
No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
David Silva in action during the Premier League game between Southampton and Manchester City on April 15, 2017`
Read Next:
Mourinho aims dig at Guardiola over Silva
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS

League Phase

TeamPWDLPTS
QLiverpool870121
QInter Milan861119
QBarcelona861119
QArsenal861119
QAtletico860218
QB. Leverkusen851216
QAston Villa851216
QLille851216
9Real Madrid850315
10AC Milan850315
11Atalanta843115
12Dortmund850315
13Bayern850315
14PSV842214
15Benfica841313
16Feyenoord841313
17PSG841313
18Monaco841313
19Brest841313
20Juventus833212
21Celtic833212
22Man City832311
23Sporting Lisbon832311
24Brugge832311
25Dinamo Zagreb832311
26Stuttgart831410
27Shakhtar82157
28Bologna81346
29Red Star82066
30Sturm Graz82066
31Sparta Prague81164
32RB Leipzig81073
33Girona81073
34Salzburg81073
35Slovan Bratislava80080
36Young Boys80080


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!