Ukrainian defender of Manchester City club Oleksandr Zinchenko took time from his wedding day to clarify comments made by him and his wife Vlada Sedan about his coach Pep Guardiola after losing to Olympique Lyon and leaving the European Champions League.
Sedan - a TV reporter - criticized Guardiola's plans in a harsh way, and published an interview with Zinchenko on her YouTube channel after City lost 3-1 to leave from the quarter-finals.
The video angered City fans, and Zinchenko took to social media to defend himself. In a long statement posted on Instagram, he said, "First, I did not say something bad, and I did not judge our plans. So do not distort my words, please."
"The night of losing to Lyon does not mean that the coach made a mistake in the experience, and if you watch my interviews in the past, and how I spoke about our coach, you will believe me. He is the number one coach."
"Secondly, about my life. Although she is a journalist, she is also a fan, and in the video she showed her emotions after the match and gave her opinion like all the fans because she wanted to be better."
He concluded by saying, "I am writing this now on my wedding day instead of enjoying an amazing moment; but I have to do it, because I cannot escape, and leave things like this."
Guardiola was widely criticized for adopting a surprise plan during the confrontation with Lyon, which reduced the danger of Manchester City - especially in the first half - and gave the French club the opportunity to win and reach the semi-finals.