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Football

09th Apr 2019

Why Bernardo Silva is out of the Manchester City lineup vs Tottenham

JOE

The Portuguese international isn’t in the Manchester City squad for tonight’s game

Manchester City playmaker Bernardo Silva was a shock omission from Pep Guardiola’s starting lineup when the two teams were announced for the English Champions League quarter-final clash at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium tonight.

Silva has been in wonderful form this season, scoring six times and providing seven assists in the Premier League, but has been ruled out of City’s crucial first-leg tie through a muscle injury that he sustained during a training session in the build-up to the match.

Guardiola is reportedly not willing to risk the 24-year-old amid City’s bid for an unprecedented quadruple. City are also without Belgian international Kevin De Bruyne, who starts on the bench.

Speaking to reporters before the match, Guardiola explained: “Bernardo is injured and Kevin De Bruyne could play, but I decided against it”, adding that is was in part due to the physicality of the Spurs side.

Tottenham Hostpur: Lloris, Trippier, Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Rose, Sissoko, Winks, Alli, Eriksen, Son, Kane

Subs: Gazzaniga, Foyth, Sanchez, Davies, Wanywama, Lucas Moura, Llorente

Man City: Ederson; Walker, Laporte, Otamendi, Delph; Fernandinho, Gundogan, Silva; Mahrez, Sterling, Aguero.

Subs: Muric, Kompany, Stones, De Bruyne, Sane, Jesus, Foden.