Vincent Kompany just isn’t anticipating a lot of a welcome on the pitch when he returns to the Etihad Stadium with Burnley for Saturday’s FA Cup quarter-final in opposition to Manchester City.
Kompany’s statue stands exterior the Etihad after he gained 4 Premier League titles, two FA Cups and 4 League Cups in 11 seasons earlier than shifting to Anderlecht to start his teaching profession in 2019.
His Burnley aspect will make the quick journey down the M66 stuffed with confidence, on their approach to an prompt return to the Premier League as they sit 13 factors clear on the high of the Championship and displaying the form of kind which has led Pep Guardiola to name Kompany a future City boss.
But whereas he’ll inform his gamers to look ahead to Saturday, Kompany absolutely understands the problem in entrance of them.
“They’re trying to win the Champions League, we’re trying to win the Championship,” Kompany stated. “All things considered, we don’t have to put too much pressure on ourselves, but still have the desire to get something from the game.
“Sometimes in these types of games, the result is one thing and we all want to win, but many teams come to the Etihad and try to win. I shouldn’t have, but I looked at the record of Championship teams going to the Etihad and it’s not great.”
Kompany might not need to spend too lengthy taking a look at Burnley’s personal report in opposition to City – they’ve misplaced 10 in a row by an combination rating of 34-1, and earlier than a 2-0 defeat on the Etihad in October 2021, the Clarets misplaced their final 4 journeys to City 5-0.
“We’ve got to get something out of this game, hopefully a result, but there is so much more for us to get out of the game,” Kompany added.
“The main focus is getting the best performance and then we’ll see.”
The final time the Belgian was in east Manchester in a aggressive capability, his beautiful 25-yard strike gave City an important victory over Leicester to place them inside one win of the Premier League title in 2019.
He could be positive of a rapturous reception when he takes his seat within the opposing dugout, however Kompany stated he would maintain his feelings in examine.
He stated: “It’s the first time (going back) so it’s obviously going to be different, but in terms of my mindset it’s not different.
“It’s just to do my job, be prepared. The core message for us is be prepared. I don’t have a feeling I need to do anything other than give the one per cent extra to the team.
“I am extremely grateful for every moment I’ve been able to experience at Manchester City but I have to approach this game in the same way I approached every game at Manchester City, which is to do my job and live for that.”
The FA Cup was the primary trophy Kompany gained with City, with their success in 2011 offering the platform for the Premier League title that adopted underneath Roberto Mancini a yr later and all that has come since.
“I remember the first time we won it we celebrated like we’d won the league, there were some crazy scenes,” Kompany stated.
“I think this trophy always meant more than any other domestic cup competition in the world.
“It feels like it’s harder to win it. Being where we are in the quarter-finals is obviously a very good achievement for us to be in those big games and have a chance to just compete at that level.”
