Fernandinho reveals he knew Manchester City would draw Dynamo Kyiv and picks …

  • Fernandinho knows about the conditions facing Manchester City in Ukraine
  • City face Dynamo Kyiv in the last 16 of the Champions League in February 
  • Brazilian spent eight years playing for Kyiv’s rivals Shakhtar Donetsk
  • City struggled the previous time they played in behind closed doors game

By

Ben Grounds For Mailonline


Published:
00:52 GMT, 17 December 2015

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Updated:
00:53 GMT, 17 December 2015

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Fernandinho has revealed he had a funny feeling Manchester City would draw Dynamo Kyiv in the last 16 of the Champions League, with the former Shakhtar Donetsk midfielder now set for a return to Ukraine.

Manuel Pellegrini’s side will look to bring an advantage back home from the trip to Eastern Europe in February, with the first leg set to be played in an empty stadium after UEFA acted upon the racist chanting of some supporters during the clash with Chelsea in the group stage. 

Fernandinho spent eight years playing in the Ukrainian Premier League, making almost 300 appearances for Shakhtar before moving to the Etihad in a £34million deal in 2013, and the Brazilian said there was a sense of inevitability about the draw in Nyon on Monday.

Fernandinho has revealed he had a funny feeling Manchester City would draw Dynamo Kyiv in the last 16

Fernandinho has revealed he had a funny feeling Manchester City would draw Dynamo Kyiv in the last 16

The former Shakhtar Donetsk midfielder has highlighted Andriy Yarmolenko as Kyiv's main dangerman

The former Shakhtar Donetsk midfielder has highlighted Andriy Yarmolenko as Kyiv’s main dangerman

‘It was funny because a few days before I told Fernando that we would draw Dynamo Kyiv,’ Fernandinho told Manchester City’s official website.

‘I told several friends as well because I was convinced we would get them so when the actual draw was made, I just smiled.’

‘They have good players, especially Andriy Yarmolenko, their right winger, so we have to be careful but I think we have a good chance to go through.’ 

The 30-year-old is expecting the lack of atmosphere in the first leg on February 24 to provide an additional challenge for his side, who struggled in a 2-2 draw with CSKA Moscow in similar circumstances last season. 

Fernandinho spent eight years playing in the Ukrainian Premier League before moving to City in 2013

Fernandinho spent eight years playing in the Ukrainian Premier League before moving to City in 2013

City struggled the last time they played in a behind closed doors game against CSKA Moscow in October 2013

City struggled the last time they played in a behind closed doors game against CSKA Moscow in October 2013

Fernandinho is only too aware of the freezing conditions in Kyiv, and he is hoping he can call upon his experience of playing in subdued stadiums to bring about a positive result in such an important game.   

‘I’ve played a few times in stadiums where the fans have been banned and it’s just not the same,’ he added.

‘We need to concentrate and focus on the job on the night. Most of us have been professionals for 10 years or more and always play in front of good crowds, so to walk out to an empty, silent stadium is tough.

‘To me, it’s all about focus and concentration levels have to be high and we have to make sure we return home with a good result.’


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