Manchester City rest Bernardo Silva for Champions League clash with Tottenham as precaution with in-form playmaker carrying muscle injury
- Bernardo Silva has been omitted from Manchester City’s matchday squad
- The Portugal international is carrying a muscle injury and has been rested
- City face Premier League rivals Tottenham in the Champions League quarters
- Liverpool go up against Porto, while Manchester United face Barcelona
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has been faced with making the difficult decision to rest Bernardo Silva for his side’s crunch Champions League clash with Tottenham.
The two sides met at the new Tottenham Hotspur stadium for the first-leg of the European quarter-final tie, with in-form playmaker Silva rested as a precaution.
The Portugal international is carrying a muscle injury, and was not deemed fit enough to feature in City’s plans in the capital.
Bernardo Silva will miss Manchester City’s Champions League first-leg clash with Tottenham
‘Bernardo’s injured and Kevin de Bruyne could play but I decided for David in this position,’ said Guardiola.
‘I know this team. Tottenham’s physicality is incredible and the last minutes are when they are strong, so we’re going to use him when we need to.’
Silva still travelled with the squad however, and will watch on from the stands as City bid to take a crucial first-leg victory.
City take to the clash with a midfield comprising Fernandinho, Ilkay Gundogan and the vastly experienced David Silva.
Guardiola’s side are bidding to make the semi-final stage of the Champions League for the first time in their history.
The playmaker has travelled but has been rested from the squad due to a muscle injury
City were knocked out at the quarter-final stage last season, after failing to overcome rivals Liverpool across two legs.
The Reds were also in action against Portuguese titans Porto at Anfield.
Fellow English side Manchester United feature on Wednesday evening, when they face Barcelona at Old Trafford.