Today at 2:45 p.m. ET, Viktoria Plzen and Manchester City square off in a Champions League Group D match in the Czech Republic. The game can be live streamed here.
Manchester City is hoping to get a lift with defender and captain Vincent Kompany possibly returning to play in his first game since being sidelined from a groin injury in the team's opening game of the season. Kompany has traveled with the team and is hopeful of playing. Manager Manuel Pellegrini told ESPN last week that he had hoped Kompany would be back in time for the team's derby with Manchester United this weekend, but it looks as though the team will get its key defender back for today's game.
Pellegrini admitted that he's taking a cautious approach with Kompany and he's trying not to rush him back too soon.
"Vincent has worked with us normally for the last two days," Kompany told ESPN. "We will see if he is 100 percent. If he is, of course he will play. We will talk with the doctor and decide."
Pellegrini said that if he's indeed in top shape the defender will play but if he's not totally healthy, the team has other players that will try to step up in the absence of their top defender.
City took a tough loss to Cardiff in their second Barclays Premiere League game of the season, and Kompany was very much missed during the loss as the injuries have piled up on the team's defense. Micah Richards, Gael Clichy and Martin Demichelis are all sidelined and Manchester City is looking to plug holes anywhere it can as Pellegrino has said he's not risking anyone who isn't 100 percent by throwing them out there too soon.
Viktoria defender David Limbersky is excited for the Champions League to be played at home.
"Playing Champions League at home is a dream come true, Limbersky told ESPN." Of course I'm looking forward to it. It is the first time in the history of the Champions League a game has been played in Plzen and we are so glad we got into this competition."
Limbersky admitted that playing Manchester City will be a different challenge for Viktoria Plzen since they play a more physical game, but he's excited for the challenge.
Viktoria is led by Pavel Vrba, who guided the team through an impressive qualifier that saw the team win all six games it played through three rounds.
Defender Marian Cisovsky scored five times in the qualifier, but he may not face City due to fitness reasons.
Both teams will undoubtedly be revved up as Manchester City may get its star player back and Viktoria gets to play at home when the teams face off today.
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