Manchester Metropolis boss Pep Guardiola described Rico Lewis’ 88th-minute crimson card in Wednesday’s 2-0 win over Wydad AC as an “pointless” choice by the referee.
Metropolis opened their Membership World Cup marketing campaign in Philadelphia with a cushty victory courtesy of first-half objectives from Phil Foden and Jérémy Doku.
Nevertheless, the sport ended on a bitter word as Metropolis defender Lewis was dismissed for a deal with on Samuel Obeng, initially profitable the ball earlier than catching the Wydad ahead within the face as he adopted via.
Requested concerning the incident, Guardiola referenced Lewis’ unlucky dismissal in a Premier League match towards Crystal Palace again in December when the 20-year-old was despatched off for a problem on Trevoh Chalobah.
Replays on that event confirmed Chalobah had actually caught Lewis, however VAR was unable to intervene resulting from it being a second yellow card offence.
“[Rico’s] leg was little bit excessive, however he was on the grass,” Guardiola stated after the match on Wednesday. “Touches the ball with the velocity that they undergo, your leg must be a bit of bit excessive and the opposite participant down.
“It was not intentional and it was a crimson card versus Crystal Palace after the referee got here and stated it wasn’t a crimson card. Rico by no means had intention to harm anybody. Somewhat bit pointless, the crimson card. The referee is the boss and had different intentions, VAR checked it and we have now to just accept the choice.”
Lewis will serve an automated one-match ban though there’s a risk to overview the choice with FIFA capable of improve the punishment if needed.
“It is not my choice, however I believe it is a doable crimson card as a result of it wasn’t with intention to place his boot in my face however he touched it together with his boot after the motion,” Wydad’s Obeng stated. “I believe it is regular. It is soccer, that may occur. He has to apologise to me — not me to him.”
Guardiola handed debuts to new arrivals Tijani Reinders and Ryan Cherki whereas Rodri was launched for the ultimate half-hour in his longest look since struggling knee ligament harm in September.
“Positively [Rodri] enjoying [to start] subsequent season [full fit] that is for certain,” stated Guardiola. “It is necessary he takes minutes. He performed quarter-hour within the closing Premier League recreation and now his first 30. His thoughts is prepared however his physique generally… nevertheless it’s good to play half-hour, perhaps greater than anticipated.
“Step-by-step. He has to not put an excessive amount of strain on himself. He has to understands he got here from 9 months injured. Each time he performs and each motion he performs will make it higher for the subsequent one. The season after any such surgical procedures. So he must be relaxed and calm and step-by-step he will likely be again to what he was.”
On Reinders, Guardiola added: “He is a very good participant. You are feeling it, you odor it. Tempo, within the closing third. When he will get the rhythm he will likely be prime.”