Vincent Kompany made his first Champions League appearance for Manchester City for 650 days against Basle on Tuesday evening, but insists he is simply happy to be playing football at any level.
The Citizens captain last featured in Europe’s elite competition against Real Madrid at the Bernabeu on May 4 2016, but showed no signs of rust as he helped them to a resounding victory in their round of 16 first leg tie in Switzerland.
Kompany has been plagued by injury over the last few seasons but has been fully fit for Pep Guardiola’s men since mid-November and was pleased to be back playing football at the highest level.
Vincent Kompany made his first Champions League appearances for almost two years
The modest Belgian, however, insists he is satisfied with playing the game at any level be that the Champions League or simply kicking the ball about with his children at home.
Asked what it was like to be back playing football, he told BT Sport: ‘Out there with the lads or in the kitchen with the kids, I’m up for anything at the moment.’
On their 4-0 win over Basle, Kompany revealed they had looked at the tactics of Chelsea in preparing for this game and praised the players for overcoming sub-zero temperatures to put in another fine display.
The Manchester City captain helped his side to an impressive 4-0 win in the round of 16
He continued: ‘It always goes back to the work rate in defending and recovering the ball early and playing against a back five similar to Chelsea how they get out.
‘The pitch was difficult and it was freezing out there. I thought for a Champions League game we did ever so well. We’ve shown that we were the better team today.’
No Manchester City player left the field having played a bad game, but midfielder Ilkay Gundogan would have been especially pleased to put in a good display in front of Germany head coach Joachim Low.
Gundogan, who scored twice on the night, is attempting to force his way back into the international set-up ahead of this summer’s World Cup, but admitted he was unaware of Low’s presence during the match.
He said: ‘No I didn’t know. He would’ve been impressed, wouldn’t he?
‘You need to ask him but I hope he enjoyed it. The most important thing is the good performance and the good result.’
Ilkay Gundogan scored twice in an impressive display in front of Germany coach Joachim Low
Gundogan scored a header and a long-range effort to put his World Cup credentials forward