Vincent Kompany picks up another injury as Man City stumble at the Champions League semi-final stage. Tottenham’s Mousa Dembele is charged with violent conduct by the FA for his clash with Diego Costa on Monday night, whilst Liverpool’s Divock Origi is still hopeful of returning from injury before the season is out.
Kompany limps out of City loss
A 1-0 loss in the Bernabeu saw City’s dreams of Champions League glory extinguished at the semi-final stage.
Having fielded a second-string outfit at Southampton on Sunday, Manuel Pellegrini made eight changes to last night’s starting line-up. The likes of Sergio Aguero, Kevin de Bruyne, Yaya Toure, Gael Clichy, Bacary Sagna and Vincent Kompany were all named in the first XI, though the latter lasted just ten minutes against Madrid before being forced off with a hamstring problem.
After a hugely disappointing performance in which his team managed just a single shot on target – courtesy of De Bruyne – Pellegrini conceded that Kompany will be assessed today after yet another injury setback.
The Scout Says: With Europe no longer a distraction, Pellegrini can now turn his attentions to Sunday’s crucial home encounter with Arsenal. The City manager’s team sheets may have frustrated us in recent weeks – with De Bruyne starting just two of the last five, for example – but considering that they need three points to overtake the Gunners in third, it seems far more likely that the Chilean will roll out his strongest side this weekend. City’s need to go on the offensive to climb back into the automatic Champions League places could be good news for De Bruyne and Aguero owners, then, whilst at the back, Kompany’s potential absence might not be as much of a setback as anticipated – the Etihad side had conceded just two goals in the previous five league matches without their captain prior to the weekend loss at St Mary’s.
Dembele Charged by FA
Mousa Dembele has been retrospectively charged with violent conduct by the FA for an alleged incident with Diego Costa in Monday’s draw at Chelsea. The Spurs midfielder has until 6pm this evening to respond to the charge.
The FA also went on to suggest that, if found guilty, the Belgian could face an extended period on the sidelines:
“Further, it is alleged the player’s behaviour constituted violent conduct in circumstances where the standard punishment of three matches that would otherwise apply is clearly insufficient.”
The Scout Says: Given the nature of the incident, it seems very likely that Dembele will play no further part in the remainder of the season. Already deprived of Dele Alli’s services due to suspension, Mauricio Pochettino could be set to face former club Southampton without two of his first-choice picks in the centre of the park. Should Dembele be handed the expected ban, our faith in Harry Kane could take a turn for the worse. Alarmingly, Spurs’ top scorer has netted just once in the nine league matches that the Belgian has failed to start this season, compared to 24 strikes in 27 outings with him in the first XI.
Origi hopeful of Reds’ return
Divock Origi has stepped up his recovery from the ankle injury that forced him off during last month’s Merseyside derby against Everton.
Discussing his fitness with the Reds’ official website, the Belgian refused to rule out a return to action before the end of the season:
“It’s progressing well. It’s been ten days now so I try and improve every day and make steps, we just try and [ensure that] I’m back as quick as possible. My goal is to come back as soon as possible and I just want to go back on the pitch. I think it’s possible but you never know.”
The Scout Says: Judging by his comments, it seems likely that Origi will miss the Reds’ upcoming double Gameweek home encounters against Watford and Chelsea. Whilst Liverpool’s team sheets remain impossible to second-guess right now, the Belgian’s continued absence could strengthen Daniel Sturridge’s chances of starts. Sturridge has been named in the starting XI in six of the last seven – scoring off the bench in the other fixture – and if he’s named amongst the subs against Villarreal later tonight, many may well be tempted to take a punt on a player with five goals and an assist in his last seven.
