Chris Sutton has slammed Danilo after the defender’s ‘shocker’ of a performance for Manchester City in their 2-1 loss to Shakhtar Donetsk on Wednesday night.
Danilo was defensively suspect particularly during a first half where Shakhtar raced into a 2-0 lead inside 32 minutes, losing Ismaily for the Ukrainian’s second goal.
Yaya Toure also failed to stake his claim for a regular spot after being handed a rare start and was overrun by Shakhtar’s midfielders at the Metalist Stadium.
Richard Dunne and Chris Sutton were critical of Danilo and Yaya Toure on Wednesday night
And Sutton and his BT Sport co-pundit Richard Dunne singled the pair out for criticism in their half-time analysis of both the goals.
On the first strike, which saw Marlos run from inside his own half before passing to Bernard to curl home, Dunne told BT Sport: ‘It was a great run from Marlos but there’s no intensity from Man City.
‘From Shakhtar’s point of view it’s great goal,’ he added. ‘But what Toure’s doing there is how City were… half-hearted and lacklustre in their closing down.
‘He’s never managed to break into a spring or sensed any sort of danger and they have got punished.’
Danilo failed to track the run of Ismaily for Shakhtar Donetsk’s second goal of the evening
Danilo offered little help on the right side of City’s defence as Pep Guardiola’s men lost 2-1
‘Toure should work much harder and get across,’ Sutton added on the 34-year-old’s lack of effort in the build-up to Shakhtar’s opener.
The home side’s second saw Ismaily sprint into the space in behind Danilo and round Ederson before slotting home into an empty net.
‘Ederson pulls out of this challenge, I wonder whether he’d be doing that at the weekend (in Sunday’s Manchester derby),’ Sutton said. ‘Danilo’s having a shocker and is unaware of Ismaily.’
Dunne felt sympathy for Tosin Adarabioyo and criticised Danilo for offering the 20-year-old centre back no assistance from the right side of defence.
Sutton slammed Yaya Toure for his lack of effort in preventing Shakhtar’s opening goal
Toure delivered a sluggish performance and was overrun by Shakhtar’s Brazilian midfielders
‘I feel for Adarabioyo because Danilo at right back has been awful. He’s not given him any help or any cover and Shakhtar have run freely at City without any real pressure on them.’
Substitute Sergio Aguero scored a late consolation from the penalty spot but failed to prevent City from falling to their first defeat of the season.
Pep Guardiola had named a weakened side with City having already secured top spot in the group and handed Phil Foden his first start for the club.
Foden showed some nice touches for the away side but failed assert his influence on the match as he featured primarily as a left wing-back.
City now turn their attentions to the Manchester derby on Sunday at Old Trafford as Guardiola prepares to lock horns with rival Jose Mourinho once again.