Kompany and Mangala Should Start Manchester City’s Semi-Final with Real Madrid

Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany could return to the starting lineup for the first leg of the UEFA Champions League semi-final against Real Madrid on Tuesday evening.

The Belgian defender was rested for the Blues’ win over Stoke City at the weekend and wasn’t even named in the 18-man squad.

Manager Manuel Pellegrini said it would have been a “risk” to play Kompany against Stoke but confirmed he is fully fit and remains available for selection.

“Vincent is OK, he worked this morning,” said the City boss after the 4-0 win over Mark Hughes’ side.

“It was a risk to play two games in 72 hours. If he had played today, he could maybe have had problems for Tuesday. It was better for him not to take a risk.”

Kompany’s involvement feels key for the European encounter against the La Liga giants.

Although he has been sidelined on four separate occasions this season, each time with a calf problem, he remains the best defender at the club by some distance.

Eliaquim Mangala has been in excellent form over the past month and deserves the praise he’s received; with his display in the second leg of City’s Champions League quarter-final win over …

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