Player topic: Eliaquim Mangala (2014/15)

[shroom]

Re: Mangala

I counted 4 times he could've put the ball in row Z but instead attempted risky under-pressure touches in dangerous positions which resulted in turnovers cascading into counter-attack rushes. He and Varane were fun to watch against speedy Nani and Ronaldo though. lotsa vroom vroom goin' on

 

[BigOscar]

Re: Mangala

Him and Varane are going to absolutely bully teams, as they did today. Both happy to attack Ronaldo early, while the other swept in behind them. If you can physically bully Ronaldo, then most teams are going to find life pretty tough! Got caught a couple of times when he and the midfield tried to play far too intricately when standing too near each other, but never looked unduly troubled.

Sagna had a lovely time just strolling up the wing, completely untracked for the entire game by Ronaldo and Nani, absolutely devestating the Portuguese LB Eliseu, who was getting a lesson in how hard it is to be Fabio Coentrao. Sort of assisted the first goal, as his shot was palmed to Benzema to tap in, but generally marauded without reprisal for the whole first half.

 

[whicko]

Re: Mangala

Time to Flap,Mangala has a thigh injury and is doubtful for France tomorrow night.

 

[jrb]

Re: Mangala

Flap!

If true I f***ing hate these internationals.

 

[Bill]

Re: Mangala

Flap!

If true I f***ing hate these internationals.

same here but its the price we pay for having a squad full of quality players. just have to cross our fingers and hope they all get back fit.

better than being shit :)

 

[willipp]

Re: Mangala

Flap!

If true I f***ing hate these internationals.

same here but its the price we pay for having a squad full of quality players. just have to cross our fingers and hope they all get back fit.

better than being shit :)

It is crazy how many players get injured on international duty. Not just City players, there always seems to be a high number of players who come back injured. Not sure if the way they suddenly switch to different training methods with national teams has something to do with it. Bloody international football.

 

[Worst Case Ontario]

Re: Mangala

Fuck international footie

 

[Marvin]

Re: Mangala

Did not feature at all in France's 3-0 win against Armenia

Rested, injured or both? We'll find out soon

 

[FantasyIreland]

Re: Mangala

Did not feature at all in France's 3-0 win against Armenia

Rested, injured or both? We'll find out soon

He was apparently on the bench.

 

[FantasyIreland]

Re: Mangala

Eliaquim Mangala eased concerns over his fitness after being named as a substitute for France’s 3-0 win against Armenia.

The Manchester City centre back had been a doubt for the friendly after damaging his thigh while on international duty.

Even though he failed play any part in his country’s win, Manuel Pellegrini will have been encouraged by the fact that the £32m defender was deemed fit enough to make the squad.

City will conduct their own assessment of Mangala’s thigh after France coach Didier Deschamps revealed the concern on Monday.

The Premier League champions are about to enter a crucial period of games - starting with Saturday’s fixture with Tottenham at the Etihad Stadium.

They travel to Moscow to face CSKA in a crunch Champions League tie the following week.

At the start of November they host United in the first derby of the season.

Pellegrini has so far rotated his squad in order to cope with the demands of competing on four fronts.

Mangala played in the Premier League games with Chelsea, Hull and Aston Villa before the international break - but was left out of the Champions League Group E draw against Roma in between.

The 23-year-old is expected to retain his place alongside Vincent Kompany for the clash with Tottenham, provided he receives the all clear when he returns to Manchester.

Martin Demichelis is an alternative option - but the Argentine may be feeling the effects of an exhausting trip to Hong Kong with the World Cup runners up.

Pellegrini insists he has not decided upon a first choice partner for City captain Kompany and will instead rotate Mangala and Demichelis.

But he will be keen to build on the clean sheet his side recorded in the 2-0 win against Villa after warning his side that their leaky defence was jeopardising their title defence.

The Villa game was only City’s second Premier League shut out of the season - their first since their opening game against Newcastle.

“It’s very important to have a clean sheet,” he said. “If you are always conceding one goal before you score you are playing against the time, against the rival, against the score, against a lot of things.

“One of the things that we did last year was improve our clean sheets.”

Meanwhile, Juventus are interested in City’s Karim Rekik.

The Italian giants believe the 19-year-old Dutchman could prove a long-term replacement for Giorgio Chiellini.

Rekik is currently on loan at PSV Eindhoven and it remains to be see what his future prospects will be at the Etihad.

Mangala’s summer arrival from Porto has pushed him further down the pecking order - while Pellegrini is ready to offer Dimechelis a new contract. Should Matija Nastasic leave at the end of the season, it would free up space for Rekik