Messi, Neymar and Suarez, oh my? No ‘fearing strikers’ at this level, says Man City’s Kompany

'You don't go in at this level fearing strikers' says Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany of Barcelona's fearsome strike trio of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar in the Champions League.

Manchester City's Vincent Kompany, centre, embraces teammates after a goal in their Premier League win over Newcastle United on Saturday. Oli Scarff / AFP / February 21, 2015

Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany claims Barcelona will hold no fear for the Premier League champions this week.

City host the Barca in the first leg of their eagerly anticipated Champions League last-16 tie at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday.

City were outgunned by Barca at the same stage of the competition last season, losing 4-1 on aggregate and having players sent off in both legs.

But City go into their latest meeting in good heart after reinvigorating their domestic title defence with a 5-0 thrashing of Newcastle United on Saturday.

Barca still boast world stars Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez in their forward line but Kompany is confident City can stand up to the challenge.

“The next game is a massive one now and it’s one of those … if you have a good day it can be a special night,” the defender said. “So we have to prepare and I think everyone is ready for it.

“We don’t fear them. You don’t go in at this level fearing strikers. We want to play against them. It’s the fourth time in a year now. There’s nothing new to worry us. It’s a case of having the whole team at a very high level.”

With City’s emphatic win over Newcastle coming after a 4-1 victory at Stoke City, the mood at Eastlands has been transformed after an indifferent start to the new year.

Chelsea had stretched seven points ahead at the top of the Premier League but the deficit has been trimmed to five.

But even though things have improved on the home front, Kompany accepts Europe and Barcelona are different entities and a different approach will be required.

“They’re a special team with special players,” he said. “I think their ability is not about hurting you all game – you can have tougher games when you go to Stoke City – it’s about the fact they can decide a game within a second. They have more players than anyone else in the world who can finish games with a touch of magic.

“But I’ve come into football to play these games. The moment I’m feeling reluctant to play in these games I’m not in the right place. This is what I want.”

City are anxious to make their mark in the Champions League to maintain the progress that has seen them win two Premier League titles in the past three seasons.

Their development in Europe has been slower, with this season being only the second time they have reached the Champions League knockout stages.

Kompany said: “Our team has been proving our determination in recent years.

“We’ve always come back. We’re putting in a fight again for the Premier League and we’ll put in a fight for the Champions League, too.

“The history of this club tells you that in the past six years we always keep progressing. It’s only a matter of time.”

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