Sterling and Havertz start in Champions League final

City coach Pep Guardiola opted for Oleksandr Zinchenko ahead of Joao Cancelo at left-back and also left both Fernandinho and Rodri out of his midfield with Ilkay Gundogan the sole holding midfielder.

Manchester City winger Raheem Sterling was given a starting place in the Champions League final against Chelsea on Saturday with German Kai Havertz preferred to American Christian Pulisic for the London team.

Manchester City's Raheem Sterling: File photo (Pool via REUTERS)

City coach Pep Guardiola opted for Oleksandr Zinchenko ahead of Joao Cancelo at left-back and also left both Fernandinho and Rodri out of his midfield with Ilkay Gundogan the sole holding midfielder.

There was no place for either of City's centre-forwards Sergio Aguero or Gabriel Jesus.

Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel opted for Ben Chilwell at left-back ahead of Marcos Alonso.

This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text.