Fans react as Ukrainian duo Oleksandr Zinchenko and Vitaliy Mykolenko share emotional moment
Key Summary:
1. Oleksandr Zinchenko and Vitaliy Mykolenko shared an emotional moment prior to kick-off.
2. Zinchenko was left in tears as Goodison Park showed their support for Ukraine.
3. Russia has invaded Ukraine, leaving 138 people dead at last count.
Oleksandr Zinchenko and Vitaliy Mykolenko shared an emotional moment prior to Manchester City's clash with Everton on Saturday.
Pep Guardiola's side travelled to Goodison Park, where fans chose to show their support for Ukraine, leaving the duo visibly touched.
While both teams were warming up prior to kick-off, Zinchenko and Mykolenko met in the center of the field, embraced, and appeared to share a few words of comfort to each other.
Amazing moment at Goodison Park between Zinchenko and Mykolenko ?? ? ❤️ pic.twitter.com/8cdozCocnw
— Arlo White ? (@arlowhite) February 26, 2022
As the two sides came out for the match, each of Everton's players held a Ukrainian flag over their shoulders. Meanwhile, City's squad all wore shirts with the words 'NO WAR' across the front and back.
The City left-bank was unable to hold back tears as everyone at Goodison Park rose in a show of solidarity with Ukraine.
Heartbreaking to see Oleksandr Zinchenko in tears before kick-off as both teams show their support for Ukraine ? ?? pic.twitter.com/bZYNyziMSh
— Football Daily (@footballdaily) February 26, 2022
Ukrainian defender Oleg Zinchenko on the verge of tears as the teams and fans stand by Ukraine before Man City-Everton. If only the owners of the two clubs were as brave in speaking out pic.twitter.com/hB1bwduXUE
— Henry Mance (@henrymance) February 26, 2022
Everton and Man City players come out draped in Ukrainian flag, with ‘He ain’t Heavy, He’s my Brother’ playing around the stadium. Both teams have a Ukrainian player in their squads. Man City’s Zinchenko visibly upset #EVEMCI pic.twitter.com/DbVGVsXZIw
— Anja Popp (@Anja_Popp) February 26, 2022
Zinchenko turned up to training when his wife was giving birth and turned up yesterday whilst a war is happening in his home country. I’m not commenting on his decisions but he has some mad commitment for this club
— ¹⁰ (@SxrgioSZN) February 25, 2022
Seeing Zinchenko warming up, everton fans are giving him standing ovation ?? pic.twitter.com/1HYjKcpUS8
— Meet Zaveri (@fpl_scyther) February 26, 2022
Send in this version of Zinchenko and Russia don’t stand a chance pic.twitter.com/ypQLUrJGFl
— ¹⁰ (@SxrgioSZN) February 21, 2022
He stood by my daughter Jessica so we stand by #Zinchenko and the rest of Ukraine! ?? @ManCity pic.twitter.com/dkM9iP8qAe
— Suzanne Louise (@suzeclarke) February 25, 2022
In his pre-match press conference, City manager Pep Guardiola confirmed Zinchenko was receiving support from his team-mates and the club "unconditionally".
"He is worried. He has family and friends there," Guardiola said. "If they are killing innocent people in your country, how would you feel?
"What we feel with our country where we were born. I guess that's how he feels. The team and the club are close to him, unconditionally."
Discussing Mykolenko in his own pre-match press conference, Everton boss Frank Lampard said: "He's okay.
"I've spoken to him, the club have spoken to him. He has every bit of support from our end, if and when he needs it. He knows that support mechanism is there. It's ultra-important that he feels that from us."