Mortal Kom-bat! City up for Euro fight

VINCENT KOMPANY admits Manchester City’s Champions League ‘Group of Death’ is even more lethal than last year.

Yet the Belgian centre-back also rates the draw ideal for Roberto Mancini’s men.

City start against Real Madrid, then face German champions Borussia Dortmund and Holland’s top team Ajax.

Last year they had Bayern Munich, Napoli and Villarreal and just failed to qualify, despite a 10-point haul.

Kompany said: “Games like this are why you are in the Champions League. I thought it couldn’t get more difficult than last year but there you go.

“It’s a great challenge. I think we are the sort of team which gets better as the challenges get even greater.

“It’s perfect for us. There won’t be any moments where we will be surprised. The motivation will be sky-high, the atmosphere great. I couldn’t think of a better way to play the Champions League.

“It’s all about how far you can get but it’s even nicer when you play against the best teams.”

City have yet to reach the heights of last season in a relatively low-key start to their league title defence.

But Kompany believes picking up points while not playing well is a sure sign they are becoming a top side.

He added: “I’m happy with things so far. We won the Community Shield and have made a good start, with seven points out of nine.

“If I had one message for the team, it would be ‘Well done guys’. We’ve always battled hard and shown how strong we are as a team. We’ve proved we have plenty of character.

“If we can win games when supposedly not at our best, what will happen if we do hit top form?”

City edged a memorable title race on goal difference last season and Kompany expects it to be just as tight this time.

He said: “I think this season will be a lot more competitive than last year. I don’t think any sides around us are weaker. They have all strengthened, so getting victories at this stage of the season is the most important thing.”