Kompany: City must respond

12 December 2012 09:14
Vincent Kompany remains confident Manchester City can retain the Premier League title - but says they must 'apply ourselves correctly'.

City were beaten 3-2 at home by title rivals Manchester United on Sunday, leaving them six points adrift of the Red Devils, and are already out of the Champions League. But Kompany claims the team remains determined to succeed and believes they can improve.

"In my mind, there is no difference other than we now know we can do it, so if we apply ourselves correctly we can win it again," said the Belgian.

"Of course, as champions you start most games as favourites to win and teams tend to sit back a little bit more and wait for you to take the game to them - then try to catch you on the counter-attack.

"Teams may have more respect, but they are not naive with it and that makes each game a bit trickier than it was last season. It's an honour to be defending the Premier League title, so you have to take everything that comes with it.

"The message was very clear for everyone at the start of the season - we can't sit back and just expect the success of the last campaign to land in our laps again.

"We have the ambition to improve on our achievements last season and do better again.

"That's our aim and what we work towards every day in training. We've learned a lot from winning the title but I still think there is a lot of room for improvement."

Despite a disappointing campaign so far, the 26-year-old centre-back claims it is inevitable that City will enjoy more success domestically and in Europe very soon and asked fans to be patient. Kompany added:

"I think everyone in the football world knows City are destined for greatness in the Champions League and if they don't, they would be ignoring the truth.

"We've proved as much in the Premier League and the fans have no reason to be impatient. I know they are with us, because it will come.

"There will be a City team that will go far in the Champions League, but you can't jump into the most difficult competition in the world and just win it.

"It takes time and it's good it's been so difficult so far because it proves you just have to be ready for it and hit the ground running."

Source: team_talk