Guardiola shuts down Aguero questions

Shortly before the interval in their scoreless draw against Saint-Etienne, the former Montpellier centre-back challenged for a loose bouncing ball with Vincent Pajot but succeeded only in catching the midfielder with a roundhouse kick about the head.

Pajot was knocked out by the blow and collapsed to the ground with a sickening thud. After receiving lengthy treatment on the field, he was replaced at the break by Fabien Lemoine – who was also to be sent off in the second half.

Saint-Etienne boss Christophe Galtier has confirmed that Pajot will be fine, however.

“It was a great scare,” he admitted. “He regained consciousness in the tunnel. I hope he can re-join the team as soon as possible.”