Vincent Kompany leaves Manchester City Champions League match with injury
Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany left the second leg of their Champions League fixture vs. Real Madrid with a thigh injury
Vincent Kompany has long been the heart of Manchester City in the center of their defense. The Belgian has rightfully been regarded as one of the best defenders in the world for quite some time, but his biggest issue of late has been staying healthy. That issue came to light at the worst possible time on Wednesday as the Man City were taking on Real Madrid in the second leg of their Champions League matchup.
After holding the La Liga giants to a scoreless draw in the first leg, City certainly had hopes of shocking everyone on Wednesday in the second leg by getting past Real Madrid. Kompany anchoring the defense would’ve played a huge part in that. However, the veteran defenseman began clutching his thigh just seven minutes or so into the match. Before the 10-minute mark ever came about, Kompany was being subbed off and City lost their captain for the rest of the match:
7 - Worrying signs for City as Kompany falls to the floor clutching his thigh. #UCL
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) May 4, 2016
8 - Kompany's night is over. He hands over the armband to Touré. Mangala comes on... #UCL
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) May 4, 2016
Kompany exited and made way for Eliaquim Mangala to take the pitch for City and Yaya Toure was given the captain’s armband. Though Mangala is talented, not having the strong leadership and force of Kompany in the middle of that Manchester City defense is definitely going to lessen their strength in the back. We’ll have to see if it just makes their task harder or if it ultimately breaks them and derails their effort to take down Real Madrid.
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