Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola said Kyle Walker was “stupid” to kick out at RB Leipzig striker Andre Silva in their final Champions League group stage game in December, adding that he was still “so angry” with the defender over his action. 

Walker incurred a three-match ban after kicking the Portuguese striker in the 82nd minute of the 2-1 defeat. The match had no significance as City had already qualified for the knockout rounds. 

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“When a player does a stupid thing, he deserves to be banned for three games,” Guardiola said. “I’m not so kind to Kyle in this kind of action. I’m still so angry with him”. 

City appealed againt the three-match suspension, given other similar incidents have incurred a shorter ban, but Guardiola said he did not agree with the club’s decision because the England defender “deserved” his suspension. 

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“It’s not necessary to discuss (it) with him. Kyle is so important for us, you saw the game he played against (Manchester) United, but in Leipzig when we had already qualified, 80 minutes in and he made this kind of action? He deserves the three games,” Guardiola said. 

“The club appealed but I did not agree. They had to do it because in other similar cases it was just two games (but) he deserved it. Hopefully he learns for the future,” the Spaniard added. 

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Walker’s actions has put Guardiola in a dilemma, with the Premier League champions having only 14 senior players, including just four frontline defenders, available for the second leg of the last 16 tie against Sporting Lisbon on Wednesday. 

“We have just 14 players available. We have a few problems, the suspension for Kyle, João is sick. We are in a little bit of trouble behind, in the back four. Of course we had an incredible result in the first leg, we start 5-0, but it is not done,” he said. 

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Midfielder Kevin de Bryune has two yellow cards and will be suspended for a game if he is booked again. “Maybe he will not start,” Guardiola said.