“We are all with Zinchenko, who represents his country.”

Technical ManchesterAnd the Pep GuardiolaHe said it was a difficult period for the Ukrainians Oleksandr Zinchenko After the Russian invasion of his country, but playing football is the best thing for the 25-year-old defender.

A tearful Zinchenko was a substitute in City’s 1-0 win over Everton last weekend in the Premier League but is back in charge. In Tuesday’s 2-0 FA Cup win at Peterborough After captain Fernandinho regularly handed him the captaincy.

“Our captain decided to give him the captaincy to show how important the situation is,” Guardiola told ITV Sport before the match. “All of us in the club are behind this initiative and behind our captain who represents his country,” he added.

On Tuesday, the United Nations said at least 136 civilians were killed in the invasion, but the true number is likely to be higher. Hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians fled the fighting.

Russia describes its actions in Ukraine as a “special operation” that it says aims not to occupy territory but to destroy its southern neighbor’s military capabilities and arrest what it considers dangerous nationalists.

Guardiola said Zinchenko had received a lot of support. “He’s not only got (the support of the fans), but from all over the world, the UK, about this crazy situation we’re in right now,” Guardiola said.

“Playing football is the best thing for him. We got to the next round and it was a good night and we know how hard the FA Cup is.”