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Manchester City's Vincent Kompany backed for return to form

Vincent Kompany
Image: Vincent Kompany can return to his best this season says Manuel Pellegrini

Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini is backing captain Vincent Kompany to return to his best this season.

The usually dependable Kompany endured an indifferent campaign as City finished a distant second to Chelsea in the Barclays Premier League last term.

City conceded an average of a goal a game and Pellegrini wants to see improvement this time around, and he is confident the experienced Kompany will lead the way.

Pellegrini, whose side begin their 2015-16 season at West Brom on Monday, said: "I trust a lot in Vincent.

"It is always important to analyse why we concede 38 goals and more than 35 per cent were from set-pieces. So it is important to concentrate on the second balls and not to concede so many free-kicks or corners.

"I don't think defending comes from just one player - it comes from the team. Last season was also a good experience for Vincent and I am sure we will see the player we saw playing so well two years ago."

Image: Pellegrini is looking for his defence to tighten up in 2015-16

Defensive issues have remained a problem throughout pre-season, with City losing 4-1 to Real Madrid a fortnight ago and then conceding another four before half-time against Stuttgart last weekend.

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Pellegrini insists the matter was not serious last season, but acknowledges the back line must tighten up.

The Chilean, who signed a new contract on Friday, added: "I think it is not good to divide a team into defence and attack - the team is the team.

"You have 11 players, you can play in any tactical system you want, but the 11 players know how to attack and the 11 players must know how to defend in the way we play.

"We were not a disasters in defence last season, but I think 38 goals conceded in 38 games is too much. I think a team that wants to win a title must concede not more than 30 or 31 goals."

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