Cape Town - Manchester City midfielder Fernandinho insists that playing
their fixture agaisnt CSKA Moscow behind close doors is of no advantage
to them.
No fans will be allowed into the Khimki Arena when the Citizens face the Russian champions in their Champions League clash on Tuesday, following UEFA's ruling that CSKA play their next three European matches behind closed doors following racist behaviour from their supporters.
The Russians will now forgo their passionate home support for a second time following their earlier clash with Bayern Munich, but Fernandinho does not believe they will be benefited by the lack of fans.
"I don't think it will be an advantage for us,' Fernandinho is quoted as saying by BT Sport.
"It is always good when you play away because the fans support their team and it gives you more motivation to play well.
"I don't think this is good for either team or for football."
The Brazilian believes the City players should look to emulate Bayern who scraped a 1-0 win despite being pushed all the way by Leonid Slutsky's side.
"The game looked like a training session," the former Shakhtar Donestk man said.
"It is very different for the players but the most important thing is that the preparation for the game is very good and the players keep their concentration from the first minute to the last.
"Bayern just did a very professional job and I think that is the way we must approach the game because it is a very important game for us. We must win it."
No fans will be allowed into the Khimki Arena when the Citizens face the Russian champions in their Champions League clash on Tuesday, following UEFA's ruling that CSKA play their next three European matches behind closed doors following racist behaviour from their supporters.
The Russians will now forgo their passionate home support for a second time following their earlier clash with Bayern Munich, but Fernandinho does not believe they will be benefited by the lack of fans.
"I don't think it will be an advantage for us,' Fernandinho is quoted as saying by BT Sport.
"It is always good when you play away because the fans support their team and it gives you more motivation to play well.
"I don't think this is good for either team or for football."
The Brazilian believes the City players should look to emulate Bayern who scraped a 1-0 win despite being pushed all the way by Leonid Slutsky's side.
"The game looked like a training session," the former Shakhtar Donestk man said.
"It is very different for the players but the most important thing is that the preparation for the game is very good and the players keep their concentration from the first minute to the last.
"Bayern just did a very professional job and I think that is the way we must approach the game because it is a very important game for us. We must win it."