SHAKHTAR V CITY
FERNANDINHO was described as ‘extraordinary’ by Pep Guardiola after his all-action display against Burnley, capped by a splendid goal.
But the Brazilian midfield ace still reckons his best is yet to come – and that his axing by his national team is making him stronger and fitter than ever.
The 33-year-old was the heartbeat of the City team as they hammered Burnley 5-0, drawing praise from the manager.
And Fernandinho, who will be asked to go again as the Blues face his old club Shakhtar Donetsk in a big Champions League clash in Ukraine tonight, puts it down to a fortnight’s rest during the international break.
He has been left out of Brazil’s squad since their disastrous World Cup campaign, and is still unsure whether his international career has been closed by head coach Tite.
Asked if he was done with Brazil, he was clearly reluctant to make the call himself.
“Maybe, I don’t know,” he said. “We’ll see. You never know in football.”
Guardiola will be hoping he is focusing entirely on his club football, as he is the only natural holding midfielder in the senior squad – Pep is still getting top-class displays out of David Silva this season, after he retired from duty with Spain.
Having two fortnight breaks in the season already is helping to keep Fernandinho fresh, and he says that means he feels fitter than ever.
“When you are out of international duty you can forget just a little bit about football, spend more time with your family and clean your mind and your body. I think it helps a lot,” he said.
“I had a rest last week. I’ve been in Dubai for a week. I have enough time to rest.
“I am happy because it’s good to be important especially in a team like this with a lot of good and important players and we just need to go for it, to improve and get better all the time.”
But he insists that City fans, who appreciate his enormous contribution over the last five years, have yet to see the best of him, despite Guardiola’s extravagant words. “I hope I can improve a little bit more,” he said. “It was good but I want to improve more, improve some details and get better to help the team. “It’s good to hear something like this about you, especially when it comes from Pep. “He’s a special guy, a special manager and I’m so pleased for that especially after my performance – and the result was a huge step for us to grow in the competition. “To keep on top of the table, scoring goals, this could maybe make the difference at the end of the season.” He has also grown into the defensive side of his job, and claims that City have matured as a team in that respect this season. They have now kept five clean sheets on the bounce in the Premier League, including that intelligent display at Anfield. Fernandinho said: “We concede less chances at corners or fouls for free-kicks. Maybe most of the teams Fernandinho