Manchester City Unhappy with Vincent Kompany Situation

Manchester City Manager Manuel Pellegrini expressed his displeasure with the Belgian National Team and Manager Marc Wilmots for playing Vincent Kompany in the nation's Euro 2016 qualifier against Israel. Belgium had already qualified for the Euro 2016 tournament, but with a win the nation would move atop the FIFA Rankings. Komapny captains both his club and country and went 58 minutes in Belgium's 3-1 victory over Israel. Kompany has been battling injuries much of the past 15 months.

Pellegrini said:

I was not pleased because we sent Vincent with a medical report saying he cannot play but as the Belgium manager said, he can do what he wants," Pellegrini declared.

"If a player withdraws from a national team squad, he cannot play for his club team in the next game. Vincent didn't play in our last three games - it's not my duty to do it but some day clubs will protest that as it should be the same thing the other way.

"It's no problem with Vincent. It was just important for him to work a whole week before playing a game - he couldn't do it because he played with Belgium so we'll have to see when he can return to his position for us.

"The national squad have all the rights to do what they want, we can just make a suggestion with a medical report. They decided after a week he can play - maybe it's better to make a call but they didn't and he played."

Football fans in the United States were exposed to another club v country row this week about player fitness. Fabian Johnson who is a regular for City's UEFA Champions League rivals Borussia Mönchengladbach has been battling injuries as well. However, the player who has not been able to stay on the pitch for more than 70 minutes thus far this season was forced to play over 110 minutes in the United States CONCACAF Cup Final loss against Mexico. The 35 degree (Celsius)  heat. The player has returned to his club injured even though the United States National Team Manager Jürgen Klinsmann scapegoated him publicly for asking to be subbed out in Extra Time with the game tied 2-2.

Gladbach Manager Andre Schubert said Klinsmann had a responsibility to sub Johnson off.

"When a player feels a tightening of their thigh in added time in a game and could then be on the verge of a more serious injury, I only think it's the responsibility of the team and himself to have him subbed off.

David Silva's injury for Spain came against Luxembourg a relative minnow. However Pellegrini and Manchester City did not send instructions to Spain, who did need to win the game to qualify for the Euro 2016. Kompany will be a late decision for Saturday's clash with Bournemouth.