Defensive pairing against Real?

If VK available, then VK & NO. purely for his leadership and presence. Shame for EM to be benched, but that's what I would choose.
They will have Tranny & Benny up front, more pace than a Bugatti
 
Otamendi and Mangala. Kompany is just too unreliable (injury-wise, obviously not ability) and if he plays and gets injured it could affect our confidence. Ota and Manga are staring to look like a decent pairing now!
 
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Otamendi and mangala. I wouldn't play kompany till next season now. I'm sick of him just coming back and getting injured every time while upsetting a settled back 4 that has formed while he was gone. If manga and ota are both fit they should play every game until the end of the year


Sent from the bird pulling gadget 3000
 
Kompany is a no brainier, his partner is a really tough choice. Mangala and Kompany has been the best CB pairing this season for us though Otamendi sniffs out danger well. I gotta go with Otamendi and Kompany.
 
Kompany and Mangala
Kompany, for some witchcraft reason, really brings out the best in Mangala.
Im sure we can beat them, they struggled against PSG in the group stages over two legs (albeit with a moron at the helm)
Who are PSG again? hehe
 
Tough one especially la liga opposition and nico will know them.

If kompany is 100% fit he plays but who beside mangala likes defending against big players (Costa, zlatan, benzema) so may suit him so go with that - although unfair to drop either.
 
Kompaany an Mangala without question. Not even debatable in my eyes. They're our best two defenders and should be paired together whenever possible. With Madrid's pace upfront, Mangala will be needed more than ever. Don't think it will be though. Pellegrini seems fairly set on Kompany and Otamendi for his 1st choice pairing and we all know how long it takes him to realise when something needs changing.

Slightly off topic but the biggest match up in this tie will be the two Ferns up against Kroos and in particular Modric. Win that battle and they're limited to pacy counter attacks andd have a defensive that can be got at.
 
domalino said:
Mangala should play every game until the end of the season.

He's no worse than Otamendi, they are pretty much on a par for losing concentration, and both improve a lot next to Kompany. But Mangala has got the potential to be much better if he can fix his concentration issues and reign in the ball hunting.

It seems he's possibly getting sold for a massive loss, so we might as well give him every single opportunity to "come good" or convince Guardiola to keep him before that point.

Also, we've never looked more defensively secure that we did with Mangala-Kompany. Kompany can keep him disciplined and Mangala's physical attributes will be very useful against a very fast Real Madrid front 3.


Also the one constant in his City career is that he's looked better the more games he's played in a row.
Click to expand...

Says who?
 
KippaxCitizen said:
Otamendi and Mangala. Kompany is just too unreliable (injury-wise, obviously not ability) and if he plays and gets injured it could affect our confidence. Ota and Manga are staring to look like a decent pairing now!
Click to expand...


Spot on. Fully fit (physically and match), Vinnie should be a consideration. In my mind, he has to demonstrate both. CL Semi Final is not where you should be trying to get match fit.
 
mosssideblue said:
Says who?
Click to expand...

When the club obviously briefed the press a few weeks ago, nearly every single report had Mangala leaving.

In fact, nearly every report regarding our transfer business suggests he's leaving.

Personally I'd keep him, but why act stupid and pretend the idea he might go is a great surprise?
 
Mangala was fantastic against PSG. Best to wait till the day before to choose & see how fit Kompany is. Surely he will need 2 x 90 minutes before taking on Madrid? Seems a shame to drop either Otamendi or Mangala having got us into the semi.
 
Has to be Vinny and Mangala. If Monkey boy beats Clichy we'll need Mangala's pace to cover. Also Navas is a must to contain Marcelo and Dinho in the centre against Modric to leave Kev free.
 
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