Manchester City have 'big chance' of Champions League success says confident Vincent Kompany

 

Andy Hampson
Wednesday 24 October 2012 11:48 BST
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Vincent Kompany: The Manchester City captain defended his
team's start to the season
Vincent Kompany: The Manchester City captain defended his team's start to the season (Getty Images)

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Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany is convinced his side still have a “big chance” of success in the Champions League.

The Barclays Premier League champions have made an indifferent start in the competition having collected just one point from their opening games against Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund.

To retain hope of progressing from Group D, City must now make the most of back-to-back encounters against Dutch champions Ajax, starting tonight in the Amsterdam ArenA.

Kompany said: "We look at the competition thinking we have a big chance and are capable of winning every game.

"We go into the game with a very good positive attitude and we feel we have had a good start to the season.

"We want to win all the remaining games. All of the games will be very important but I don't think we are looking at any and thinking we can't win.

"We will always have a feeling we can go into a game to win it."

Despite making an unbeaten start to their Barclays Premier League defence and sitting in a healthy third spot after eight games, City have also not yet played with last season's swagger domestically.

Much like the team, the influential Kompany has found his own form under scrutiny.

The 26-year-old was at fault as Real Madrid snatched a last-gasp winner against them at the Bernabeu last month and his error preceded James Milner's sending-off in the weekend win over West Brom.

The Belgian has also been troubled by a calf injury in recent weeks but he still feels on top of his game and takes further encouragement from his team-mates.

Kompany said: "My fitness is great, I'm in top form and the international game showed it as well.

"I'm just looking forward to the many games that are coming.

"When it comes to character and spirit and strength to overturn situations - you can only achieve that collectively. There is no such thing as a one-man team."

Alarmingly, according to UEFA statistics, City gave up a combined 50 shots on their goal to Real and Dortmund in their opening two matches.

Kompany said: "The past is irrelevant, we will go into the game hoping to win as we always do.

"You can't bring up things that have gone wrong in the past, what we have to take with us is the things that have gone well.

"But it's a very tough group, we always knew that. There are no easy games and this is no different."

City will have to achieve their aims in Holland without playmaker David Silva, who remains out with a hamstring injury and has not travelled.

Defender Maicon and midfielders Jack Rodwell and Javi Garcia are also missing.

In a break from recent routine, City trained at the Amsterdam Arena on the eve of the match. Mancini has previously preferred to train in Manchester on the morning before travelling.

PA

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