Manchester City will not have Kyle Walker in the next three Champions League games. The right-back has been banned by UEFA for his red card in the last group match against RB Leipzig (2-1 loss) on December 7. Walker will therefore not be available in the two encounters with Sporting Portugal in the eighth finals, as well as in the first quarter-final match if Manchester City continues.
Walker duped his team in the last group match by viciously kicking André Silva. In minute 83, when the final score had already been reached, the wing defender received a direct red card from referee Sandro Schärer. As a result, it was already known that Walker would miss the first eight-final match, but it is now clear that two more matches will be added. At the earliest, Walker can be used again in the return match of a possible quarterfinal, which will be played on April 12 or 13. Manchester City have no plans to challenge the suspension, reports say the Athletic.
“The red card is painful, especially with a view to the eighth final,” said coach Josep Guardiola after the match against Leipzig. “Kyle is an important player for us. It is unnecessary to lose him this way. I hope that he learns from this.” Walker did not play a game in the remainder of December due to fitness problems, but did complete the ninety minutes in the last three official games of Manchester City. When he was out of action, Walker was replaced by João Cancelo, who now acts as left-back. If Cancelo moves back to the right wing due to Walker’s suspension, Nathan Ake or Oleksandr Zinchenko could be drafted as left-backs.
A pretty unnecessary red card for Kyle Walker ????? Out of frustration he steps after André Silva ??#ZiggoSport #UCL #RBLMCI pic.twitter.com/uQ1BddKFUx
— Ziggo Sport Football (@ZS_Voetbal) Dec 7, 2021
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