Agbonlahor can’t believe Phil Foden latest at Man City – ‘this is very strange’
Gabby Agbonlahor has insisted “stubborn” Pep Guardiola should have used his Man City bench during the Champions League Round of 16 first-leg draw against Leipzig on Wednesday (22 February).
The former Aston Villa striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, suggested the Spaniard didn’t want to admit he had made a “mistake” with his lineup.
Man City made no substitutions despite struggling in the second half of their 1-1 Champions League draw away at RB Leipzig.
Guardiola had a bench with options like Phil Foden, Julian Alvarez and Kalvin Phillips available to him.
Man City had 62% of the ball against Leipzig but their dominance translated into just three shots on target – one less than the hosts.
They host the return leg against Leipzig on 14 March.
Agbonlahor told Football Insider’s Ewan Kingsbury: “Pep is just so stubborn.
“He backs himself and the team he puts out to get a result.
“He doesn’t want it to look like he’s made a mistake.
“Anyone else would have put Foden or Alvarez on and tried to mix it up. The players will have needed that – some fresh legs to help out.
“Pep didn’t do it, and it’s very strange.
“But I think Pep will be fine with knowing they have to win in the return leg to go through.”
Premier League champions Man City are two points adrift of leaders Arsenal having played a game more than the Gunners.
They face relegation-threatened Bournemouth on the south coast on Saturday (25 February).
In other news, ex-referee claims Man City are victims of Premier League after Erling Haaland cheat storm.