Vincent Kompany not being ‘punished’ but might not feature against Man Utd
Manuel Pellegrini promises to attack at Old Trafford
With the Manchester derby looming fast, and no sign of return for recent City injury absentees David Silva (ankle), Sergio Aguero (hamstring), Samir Nasri (hamstring), Fabian Delph (hamstring), and Gael Clichy (ankle), the fitness of City’s captain Vincent Kompany’s calf is as important as ever.
Kompany played almost an hour of Belgium’s final Euro 2016 qualifier against Israel on October 13 despite reporting for international duty with a medical report from City’s own medical team recommending that he rest a calf injury sustained against Juventus in the Champions League this season.
Although the Israel game was hardly strenuous for the Belgium skipper, his only appearance since then was as a very late substitute in City’s last game against Sevilla as the visitors pushed for a late goal with more crosses into City’s box.
“I don’t have any problems with Vincent Kompany,” said Pellegrini. “I need to every week choose the starting XI that’s the best for that game.
“The other players must wait and this is exactly the same for all the players in the squad.”
Pellegrini denied suggestions that Kompany was being punished for risking further injury by turning out for Belgium against the advice of City’s medical team.
“I am not punishing Vincent and I don’t have any problems with my relationship with Vincent.” claimed Pellegrini. “After five weeks out without playing or training you must be fit but you are not ready to play in important games.
“It’s important for him to work some days before training.” added the Chilean who was also explained why he tried to prevent stand-in captain Yaya Toure from handing over the armband to Kompany when he finally made it onto the pitch in the 89th minute of the game against Seville who were pushing for a winner.
He said: “It’s not what you are expecting to hear. I thought Yaya was changing his armband because he thought he was leaving the pitch – he was not.”
For City’s visit to neighbours United, one fact that cannot be ignored is that City have conceded 1 goal with Vincent in the team, but twelve goals in 7 games without him when Pellegrini has selected combinations of other defenders at his disposal such as Nicolas Otamendi, Eliaquim Mangala and Martin Demichelis.
“At the beginning of the season Vincent Kompany and Eliaquim Mangala were untouchable because we were playing very well. We bought Otamendi and he didn’t play because we were doing well.
“After that there’s a lot of reasons why the performance of the players change and it’s my job to understand and to try to choose the best XI.” said Pellegrini.
Regardless of whether or not Kompany plays, City may face a United team containing the pacy French teenager Anthony Martial but Pellegrini was bullish about fears that City’s defence might be exposed by United’s front line given their recent form at the back without their captain.
“Our defenders can defend against any team and against any player, that’s why they are defenders for Manchester City. If not we can bring in another defender if we are not sure that they are able to do it.” he said.
“Martial’s a very good young player demonstrating why he’s here in the Premier League.
“But if we look just at one player without looking at the other Man Utd players it will be difficult.
“We must have good defending against good players like Juan Mata, Wayne Rooney and Ander Herrera.
“It’s important to attack them and arrive to their box a lot of times.
The Chilean reiterated his promise to attack at Old Trafford and brushed aside suggestions that the Reds were in any way disadvantaged by their trip to Moscow in midweek.
“If the derby were tomorrow instead of Sunday it might be a small advantage but Wednesday to Sunday I dont think there will be a problem.
“For me attacking is the best way to do it for the club, the fans and the Premier League.
“To be an attacking team that doesn’t mean we don’t have to defend well which is why for the last 3 seasons we have been the best attacking team in the Premier League.
“In defending we always finish second or third best but you need to add other things, not just attacking football to win the title.
“I think that football for fans is attractive if you score goals. I will never play to try to score 1 goal and the game is over and we all run and then hide behind the ball, it’s not the best way to win it.”