Abu Dhabi: A never-say-die attitude has characterised Manchester City’s success in England in recent seasons and captain Vincent Kompany believes that similar doggedness can lead to long-awaited glory in Europe.
Kompany is relishing next month’s mouthwatering Champions League last-16 tie against Barcelona, who comfortably overcame City 4-1 on aggregate at the same stage of the competition last year.
City qualified for the Champions League knockout stage in second place in their group behind Bayern Munich, whom they beat 3-2 at home thanks to two late Sergio Aguero goals to rescue a flagging qualification bid.
Aguero’s heroics mirrored his injury time winner in the Blues’ 3-2 win over QPR on the final day of the 2011/12 season, which clinched the club’s first English Premier League (EPL) title — a feat they repeated last season.
Yet City have failed to replicate their domestic dominance, which has yielded four trophies since 2011, on the continent, having never progressed beyond the last 16.
However, despite their European travails, Kompany insists he and his teammates will never give up on their quest to be the best.
“If you try enough, eventually you will win,” he told media after a training session at Al Jazira FC’s Mohammad Bin Zayed Stadium ahead of their friendly with German side Hamburg in Al Ain on Wednesday night.
Kompany, who is part of a star-studded City squad that arrived in the UAE on Monday for a brief winter training camp ahead of Saturday’s home FA Cup fourth-round clash against Middlesbrough, added: “It [the Barcelona match] is a big game and one everyone is looking forward to. Let’s hope that the time is right for us [to win].”
On-loan midfielder Frank Lampard added: “A club like Manchester City has to be winning the Champions League, it is what they are trying to do with the squad we have.
“The Champions League is the best competition in world football.”
Right back Pablo Zabaleta said City would not be cowed by the prospect of taking on Barcelona and their formidable attacking triumvirate of Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez.
The Argentine said: “We are Manchester City and we are looking to make some progress in the Champions League and we will try our best to beat Barcelona, even though it is another tough draw.”
With City in with a chance of silverware in three competitions — the EPL, FA Cup and Champions League — squad strength is vital.
As such, striker Stevan Jovetic said the club’s signing of Swansea City forward Wilfried Bony last week was an important coup.
“I think he’s a good player and more like a [traditional] number nine,” he said. “It’s important to have a big squad because we are playing every three days. We have had so many injuries and hopefully we are going to avoid those in the next few months.”
Aguero was similarly pleased that City have galvanised their attacking ranks, which also feature Edin Dzeko, with the recruitment of Bony for a reported £28 million (Dh156m).
“We’re always very happy when we get new players,” Aguero said. “The idea is always that this is done in the spirit of improving the overall performance of the team. Since Wilfried has been playing in England, he should be able to take the pressure of competing in the Premier League, so he will be a very good signing. We’re very thankful for this.”
Bony is currently unavailable for City as he is playing for Ivory Coast in the Africa Cup of Nations until next month — as is the Blues’ talismanic midfielder Yaya Toure.
The influential Toure’s absence has been keenly felt at the club, according to fellow midfielder Fernando, with City slipping five points behind league leaders Chelsea after a 2-0 home defeat to Arsenal on Sunday.
Fernando said: “It goes without saying [that we miss him], as he’s a very good player. He contributes a lot to the team and our good results.
“At the same time, Manchester City has hired very big players and we have to count on every single player in the team. Definitely since he’s been gone, the results have been declining, so we hope that in the future his absence will have less of an impact.”
Meanwhile, Fernando’s compatriot, Fernandinho, hailed the pivotal presence at the Etihad Stadium of another midfielder — the evergreen Lampard.
The 36-year-old ex-Chelsea star has extended his short-term deal at the club until the end of the season after belying his age with some fine displays and scoring seven goals.
Fernandinho said: “His arrival in the team has been extremely important. He’s an excellent professional and he definitely has great capabilities.
“It’s a pity we could not play more time with him, but we just hope that in the six remaining months with him that he will score even more goals.”
