Sevilla veteran Fernando clashes with his manager Jose Luis Mendilibar and wags his finger in anger as he’s hooked off before half-time – with the boss admitting he was ‘HURT’ by the substitution despite his side’s dramatic late comeback
- Former Man City midfielder Fernando was unhappy after being substituted
- Sevilla came from two goals down to draw 2-2 with Rayo Vallecano
- Listen to the latest episode of Mail Sport’s podcast ‘It’s All Kicking Off!’
One-time Manchester City man Fernando was left furious at Sevilla manager Jose Luis Mendilibar after he was substituted before half-time in a 2-2 draw against Rayo Vallecano.
The Brazilian midfielder was replaced by Ivan Rakitic in the 40th minute of the game at the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan with Sevilla trailing by two goals.
Fernando, who started the game as captain of his side, was not best pleased by the decision, handing Rakitic the armband before repeatedly wagging his finger in the direction of his manager.
The 36-year-old eventually made his way down the tunnel to the dressing rooms after he had let his feelings be known.
Mendilibar was surely left feeling vindicated by the end of the game, as second-half goals from Djibril Sow and Youssef En-Nesyri rescued a point for his struggling side.
Fernando was less than pleased after being substituted in the 40th minute of Sevilla’s 2-2 draw against Rayo Vallecano
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The Sevilla boss remained level-headed when explaining the decision to substitute Fernando though, insisting it was for purely tactical reasons.
He said: ‘I know that the substituted player is going to feel screwed, but it’s not because I’ve seen him as the worst on the team. I’ve talked to him and he’s hurt. I’ve given him my explanation and that’s it.’
The Brazilian midfielder started the game against Rayo as captain before being replaced by Ivan Rakitic
Fernando left Manchester City in 2017, joining Galatasaray before moving on to Sevilla in 2019
The draw helped move Sevilla up to 13th in the LaLiga table after a difficult start to the campaign for the Europa League holders.
Mendilibar’s side began the season with three consecutive league defeats and they are yet to taste victory in their Champions League group ahead of a meeting with Arsenal later this month.
They were also beaten by Man City in the UEFA Super Cup, as Fernando’s former side came out on top in a penalty shootout.
Fernando, who left City to join Galatasaray in 2017 before signing for Sevilla two years later, missed the clash with his former employers but has featured regularly throughout four seasons in Spain.
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