Manchester City’s hopes of reaching the Champions League semi-finals have been dealt a considerable setback with the news that Vincent Kompany has lost his fitness battle and will miss the tie against Paris St-Germain.
Kompany was able to train with the rest of the squad on Monday morning but the manager, Manuel Pellegrini, said afterwards it was “not possible” for the team’s captain to be involved against the French champions.
Pellegrini had better news about Nicolás Otamendi even though the Argentinian did not take part in training because of a twisted ankle he suffered in Saturday’s 2-1 win against West Bromwich Albion. Otamendi landed awkwardly while jumping for a corner but Pellegrini said his player would be available to partner Eliaquim Mangala in the heart of defence.
Kompany’s absence, nonetheless, represents a major blow bearing in mind the team’s defensive issues when the Belgium national captain has been missing. Pellegrini had said on Saturday that Kompany was “touch and go”, having been out for almost a month with his fourth calf injury this season, but his latest prognosis was that the player was “not 100%” and it was too risky to involve him.
That leaves Pellegrini with the decision of whether to gamble with Otamendi’s fitness or recall Martín Demichelis for the first time since his traumatic appearance in the Manchester derby when he was given such a torrid time by Marcus Rashford a player with experience of playing in World Cup and Champions League finals was substituted early in the second half.
After drawing 2-2 in Paris, City approach the second leg in a position of strength and Pellegrini offered his support to the team’s much-criticised defence. “We have to trust the squad. We are always talking, seeing and working with all the defenders. Maybe they made some mistakes in the last game against PSG but I trust they will play in the level that means they can do it.”
