BRAZIL’S LOSS IS CITY’S GAIN

Midfielder has put club before country after World Cup horror show and now Pep reckons he’s ‘extraordinary’

FERNANDINHO has put club before country in an effort to drive Manchester City to Champions League glory.

He has turned his back on Brazil and asked not to be picked so he can focus on helping Pep Guardiola’s men win more silverware.

The midfielder has not added to his 49 caps since a disastrous World Cup campaign in Russia.

But Brazil’s loss has been City’s gain, with Fernandinho emerging as one of the most crucial players in Guardiola’s well-drilled side.

He is 33, but reckons he is feeling fitter and fresher than ever as he looks to help City land the one major trophy that still eludes them.

In the last international break, Fernandinho relaxed in Dubai instead of putting himself through the rigours of more football.

The benefits are clear to see, with Guardiola hailing him as “extraordinary” in Saturday’s 5-0 demolition of Burnley. Fernandinho said: “It’s good to hear something like this about you – especially when it comes from Pep. “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 players.

“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.” City are aiming to take a giant step towards securing a place in the Champions League knockout stages at Shakhtar Donetsk tonight and when they host the Ukrainians on November 7.

Fernandinho is looking forward to taking on his old club in Kharkiv and admits City are out for revenge after losing to them in the group stages here last season.

He added: “Most of the people who worked in the club when I was there are still there.

“Of course I had very good times there and know a lot of people. I like them so much and have a lot of respect for them.

“It will be nice to go back there, see them and spend some time with them.

“But we just need to go for it. To improve and get better all the time.

“The next two games against them are going to be decisive to see who goes through to the next stage.

“They are going to be key games for us.

“Of course they have a good squad, a good team with good players so we have to be careful and try to play the same way we are playing now.

“Of course it’s a different competition, a different way to play from Burnley to Shakhtar.

“But we have to do what we have to do out on the pitch and try to win the game because it’s going to be very difficult.” Live on BT Sport 3 from 7pm