Guardiola: I dropped Aguero for more midfielders

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Guardiola: I dropped Aguero for more midfielders

The Argentine was dropped after he missed a penalty against Everton on Saturday, but his manager reveals that it is a purely tactical choice and not punishment

Pep Guardiola has explained he left Sergio Aguero out of Manchester City's starting XI to face Barcelona on Wednesday in order to field more midfielders.

Aguero has 11 goals in nine games for City this season, but has not found the net in each of the Premier League leaders' past three winless outings.

The Argentina international came off the bench to miss a penalty against Everton on Saturday, where his omission was widely viewed as a tactic to preserve him to take on Barca in Champions League Group C.

But Guardiola said he selected an XI without a recognised striker in an attempt to match Barcelona in midfield and prevent them from establishing their customary dominance.

“I want more midfield players, that is why," he toldBT Sportwhen asked about benching Aguero. "We come here to try to win the game.


“I spent almost all my career here but I am not here to have fun or for a holiday. I am here to do the best job possible.”

City start the game second in Group C on four points, two behind Barcelona.