11.03.2014 18:58 h

Football: Kompany revives title memories to inspire comeback

Joey Barton flippt aus
Joey Barton flippt aus

Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany believes his side can take encouragement from their Premier League title in 2012 as they look to produce a historic comeback against Barcelona on Wednesday.

City trail 2-0 from the first leg of the Champions League last 16 tie at the Etihad three weeks ago when a Lionel Messi penalty and a late strike from Dani Alves put Barca in command.

No team has ever come back from a two-goal first leg deficit at home in the Champions League era, but Kompany believes they can be inspired by the final day of the 2011/12 season when they scored twice in stoppage time to beat Queens Park Rangers and steal the title away from Manchester United on goal difference.

"Football is made out of nights like this. If anything should give you belief then it should be that day against QPR. We're here to try and have one of those special nights," he said on Tuesday.

"It's in our own hands and that's the good thing, so I guess the message to everyone is that we have to believe."

Kompany had previously described Barca as "there for the taking" before Martin Demichelis's red card for chopping down Messi, which led to the penalty, turned the tie firmly in the Spanish side's favour.

The Catalans have since suffered two defeats in three La Liga games to Real Sociedad and Valladolid, and with Sergio Aguero back fit, Kompany is sure City can score the goals needed to get them back into the tie.

"I'm actually very excited about this one. I think the whole team is.

"If everything goes well, we're capable of hurting Barcelona, so that's what I want to focus on.

"I like to focus on my strikers because I know that if they score we have a chance, but everyone needs to be a their best."

City boss Manuel Pellegrini didn't attend his side's pre-match press conference as he is serving a ban from UEFA for his critical comments aimed at Swedish referee Jonas Eriksson after the first leg.

However, his assistant Ruben Cousillas confirmed that Matija Nastasic and Stevan Jovetic had remained in Manchester along with Demichelis as they are injured.

Otherwise, Pellegrini has a fully-fit squad to choose from with England international Joleon Lescott expected to replace Demicheilis alongside Kompany in central defence.