Man City ace Zinchenko distances himself from fiancee's controversial comments about Pep Guardiola

Manchester City star Oleksandr Zinchenko has distanced himself from his fiancee's comments that their failure to win the Champions League was Pep Guardiola's fault - and says that the backlash is ruining their wedding.

City were one of the heavy favourites to win the competition last season but were knocked out in the quarter-final by Lyon before Bayern Munich went on to be crowned champions.

Zinchenko's fiancee Vlada Sedan, who is a TV reporter, hit out at Guardiola in extraordinary fashion following City's 3-1 loss against Lyon.

'Perhaps I have no right to say this, perhaps Zinchenko will forbid me. But to put it mildly, and in order not to swear, this is completely Guardiola's fault,' she said.

'At such a crucial moment, making such an experimental tactic for Man City is a bummer.

'I have no right to criticise, but why play three central defenders when the players themselves take their heads.

'I simply have no words, because to have such a line-up… look what players play at Man City, what a bench. Literally few clubs in the world can boast such reserves.'

Ukraine international Zinchenko had revealed to his partner on her YouTube channel that Guardiola didn't say a word to his players after their surprise loss to underdogs Lyon but has since moved to clarify his standpoint and the controversial comments from his partner.

In a statement, he said:  'Guys, I need to say a few things about this interview. First of all, I didn't say anything bad or judgmental about our tactics so don't confuse my words please.

'I was explaining that we as players understand the effect tactics have and how given we have such great experience, we can adapt to the tactics we are given. On the night we lost to Lyon but that doesn't mean the manager was wrong to try. If you have seen my interviews in the past and the way how I talk about our manager then you can believe me. He is number one.

'Second one about my wife. Although she is a journalist, she is also a fan. During the whole season she was travelling with us for all away and home games because she is a massive City fan! In the video you can see her emotions straight after the game and she gave an opinion like all fans do because she wanted us to do better.

'We totally understand now that she shouldn't post it on social media because she is my wife but she was now trying to make a journalist's opinion on the manager of the team, she was simply reacting to her disappointment as a fan.

'I'm writing right now from my wedding and instead of enjoying that unbelievable moment I have to do this because I can't skip it and leave it like that. I hope you understand.'