RESTED STAR’S CITY SLICKER

SHAKHTAR v MAN CITY

TONIGHT, 8PM, LIVE ON BT SPORT

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

The 49-cap star 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 benefits are clear to see with his boss hailing him as “extraordinary” in Saturday’s 5-0 demolition of Burnley.

Fernandinho 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.

Fernandinho said: “It’s good to hear something like this about you – especially when it comes from Pep. I am happy because it’s good to be important, especially in a team like this with a lot of good players. 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: “I had very good times there and it will be nice to go back. But we just need to go for it. They are going to be key games.”