Unbowed Kompany retains Champions League ambition at Manchester City

Vincent Kompany still dreams of winning the Champions League with Manchester City after coming through his latest injury nightmare.

The 31-year-old centre-back needed groin and thigh surgery after last season’s semi-final defeat to Real Madrid, having been hindered by persistent calf problems during the campaign.

A series of niggles have hindered him this time around under Pep Guardiola, while suffering knee ligament damage at Crystal Palace in November marked another damaging setback.

But Kompany returned to the City starting line-up for a 2-1 defeat to Premier League leaders Chelsea earlier this month and he has started and completed four of their past five matches, including a goal at Southampton and 120 minutes versus Arsenal in the FA Cup semi-final.

An impressive performance during Thursday’s goalless derby against Manchester United underlined how the club captain’s reassuring presence might have steadied City during a coruscating Champions League last-16 tie with Monaco, where they bowed out 6-6 on away goals in his absence

“I have a contract until 2019. This club has given me everything. And I have always given everything, everything for this club,” he told Play Sports’ Hoogvliegers programme.

“I want to finish on a high. If that’s in two seasons or later, we shall see. I don’t want my ego to get in the way of the right decision.

“Nothing is forever and an end will come, we should not be naive about it.

“I still believe that this club can win the Champions League. I’ve never doubted it because I see what is being built here.

“It’s my only wish to be part of the squad that finally reaches that goal.”

When City play Sunday and it’s a Bank Holiday Monday!