
Ukrainian duo Oleksandr Zinchenko and Vitaliy Mykolenko embrace earlier than tributes at Goodison Park go away the Manchester Metropolis man in tears forward of kick-off
- Russia began a full-scale invasion of Ukraine on Thursday morning
- Oleksandr Zinchenko and Vitaliy Mykolenko are each Ukrainian internationals
- They embraced one another previous to kick-off between Everton and Man Metropolis
- Zinchenko was left in tears as Goodison Park confirmed their help for Ukraine
Oleksandr Zinchenko and Vitaliy Mykolenko shared an emotional second previous to Saturday’s conflict between Manchester Metropolis and Everton because the pair hugged one another within the wake of Russia’s assault on Ukraine.
The Ukrainian duo could also be on opposing groups at Goodison Park however this didn’t matter right here, given what’s at present happening of their homeland.
With each groups warming up previous to kick-off, Zinchenko and Mykolenko headed over to at least one one other to embrace and appeared to share a couple of phrases of consolation.
Each gamers had been named among the many substitutes for his or her respective golf equipment, and so they re-emerged from the tunnel a couple of minutes earlier than kick-off to take their locations on the bench.
Zinchenko was clearly appreciative of the help from each units of supporters as he applauded the house followers on his means throughout the pitch.
As the 2 sides got here out for the match, every of Everton’s gamers held a Ukrainian flag over their shoulders.
In the meantime, Metropolis’s squad all wore shirts with the phrases ‘NO WAR’ throughout the back and front of them.
The 1969 hit ‘He ain’t heavy, he’s my brother’ by The Hollies was then performed contained in the stadium, sparking an emotional response from Zinchenko.
Oleksandr Zinchenko and Vitaliy Mykolenko hugged each other earlier than kick-off on Saturday
Zinchenko was clearly emotional earlier than kick-off as he applauded each units of followers
The Metropolis left-back was unable to carry again the tears as the entire of Goodison Park rose in a present of solidarity with Ukraine.
Metropolis have the possibility to maneuver six factors clear on the prime of the desk with a win, whereas Everton might enhance the hole between themselves and the underside three in the event that they overcome Pep Guardiola’s males.
Nonetheless, it’s the emotional scenes earlier than a ball was even kicked which are prone to dwell lengthy within the reminiscence.
Everton’s gamers had Ukrainian flags draped over their shoulders as they lined up for the sport
Man Metropolis’s gamers had ‘No Conflict’ messages on the back and front of their shirts previous to kick-off