• Manchester City 0-2 Barcelona

We showed Barca too much respect, says Kompany

ESPN staff
February 19, 2014
ESPN FC: City fail the test


Vincent Kompany has admitted that Manchester City showed Barcelona "too much respect" in their 2-0 Champions League loss to Gerardo Martino's side on Tuesday.

Martin Demichelis was shown a red card for fouling Lionel Messi as last man, although replays suggested that contact had taken place outside the penalty area.

However Kompany stated that, while the game was 11 against 11, Barcelona were there for the taking - but their efficiency proved too difficult to break down. Nevertheless, City's captain still believes they have a chance to turn things around in the second leg.

"It's very tough. By no means did we feel they were superior to us," Kompany told ITV. "When it was 11 v 11 we showed them too much respect. They were there for taking. They were not the best team we have played this season not at all.

"They were incredibly efficient and when you play against them you do realise the individual quality of this team if phenomenal. It just makes it so difficult to close them down.

"It's not the team that's put in the best performance against us but it doesn't mean it's not the best team. If they turn up at the Nou Camp in the next game and play like they're capable of playing then it's a very tough game. If the game is the same as today and we manage to keep away from small fouls we've got a chance."

City boss Manuel Pellegrini was in a far more critical mood following his team's defeat, claiming "it was not a good idea to put a referee from Sweden in charge of such an important game."

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