|
|
'It’s very important for us to win something this year' - Manchester City's Yaya Toure stresses importance of Europa League success
The Ivorian will miss the next match through suspension but hopes his team-mates can produce the goods so City can maintain their challenge for domestic and European trophies
23/02/2012 7:30:00 AM
By John Stammers
Getty Images
Yaya Toure has stressed the significance of the Europa League to Manchester City's season after the Citizens moved a step closer to silverware with victory over Porto.
Roberto Mancini's men triumphed 6-1 on aggregate over the Portuguese champions after an impressive 4-0 win in the second-leg of the tie at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday evening.
City remain in pole position in the Premier League title race but, with Manchester United likely to challenge until the end of the season, Toure highlighted the importance of progression in Europe for their campaign.
The midfielder told ESPN: "Today was fantastic, after the first half, we scored early and that was important for us. We don’t expect that [the early goal].
"They are a fantastic team, they are always in Europe, it was a tough game because they keep the ball a lot, it was very important to concentrate well and it was important for our season."
The former Barcelona man narrowly missed out on African Cup of Nations glory with the Ivory Coast after losing 8-7 on penalties to Zambia, and says that failure has made him all the more determined to finish the season strongly with City.
"It was disappointing to lose the final against a good team." He said, "But now I am back with my team-mates to win the Premier League this year."
Toure was on a booking before the game began and was shown a yellow card for a tackle on Joao Moutinho, which means he will miss the first leg of the next round clash.
He hopes his team-mates can do the job in his absence, and stresses that success in Europe is essential to their season.
"It was such a fantastic game today," he added. "I think the yellow card was difficult for me, but I hope my team-mates will be strong and we will have Sporting [Lisbon] or another team [Legia Warsaw] so hopefully they can win there too.
"It is a very important year for the club and now we have to fight for them and we have to go on now in the Europa League, it’s very important for us to win something this year."
City captain Vincent Kompany also praised City's convincing result and "professional performance", despite the team not being at the top of their game.
The Belgian said: "It’s a great victory, we showed how serious we are about the competition and 4-0 is a great result against the holders of the competition.
"I didn’t think today we were at our best but we did exactly what we needed to do and we were very mature and a very professional performance, that’s exactly what we need at this stage of the season."
Sergio Aguero netted the City's first after just 19 seconds, and has now scored 15 goals in 24 Premier League appearances. Kompany believes the Argentine will add to that tally with the quality of service he receives.
The City captain continued: "It’s only his first season. He’s showing so many great things for the team, I have a feeling that when he’s settled in he’ll score a few more.
"He had some more chances today and it just shows that there will be great chances with players like Yaya [Toure], David [Silva] and [Samir] Nasri the strikers have a lot of fun up front."
Toure announced his return from the African Cup of Nations with a good display in the first-leg in Portugal, and was one of City's top performers again at the Etihad. Kompany believes City's squad has never been stronger.
He added: "It’s great to have [Yaya Toure] back. The end of the season is approaching and I don't think our team has ever been stronger so this is a great time."
|
Sign up with Luxbet for a free bet up to $300 |
Roberto Mancini's men triumphed 6-1 on aggregate over the Portuguese champions after an impressive 4-0 win in the second-leg of the tie at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday evening.
City remain in pole position in the Premier League title race but, with Manchester United likely to challenge until the end of the season, Toure highlighted the importance of progression in Europe for their campaign.
The midfielder told ESPN: "Today was fantastic, after the first half, we scored early and that was important for us. We don’t expect that [the early goal].
"They are a fantastic team, they are always in Europe, it was a tough game because they keep the ball a lot, it was very important to concentrate well and it was important for our season."
The former Barcelona man narrowly missed out on African Cup of Nations glory with the Ivory Coast after losing 8-7 on penalties to Zambia, and says that failure has made him all the more determined to finish the season strongly with City.
"It was disappointing to lose the final against a good team." He said, "But now I am back with my team-mates to win the Premier League this year."
Toure was on a booking before the game began and was shown a yellow card for a tackle on Joao Moutinho, which means he will miss the first leg of the next round clash.
He hopes his team-mates can do the job in his absence, and stresses that success in Europe is essential to their season.
"It was such a fantastic game today," he added. "I think the yellow card was difficult for me, but I hope my team-mates will be strong and we will have Sporting [Lisbon] or another team [Legia Warsaw] so hopefully they can win there too.
"It is a very important year for the club and now we have to fight for them and we have to go on now in the Europa League, it’s very important for us to win something this year."
City captain Vincent Kompany also praised City's convincing result and "professional performance", despite the team not being at the top of their game.
The Belgian said: "It’s a great victory, we showed how serious we are about the competition and 4-0 is a great result against the holders of the competition.
"I didn’t think today we were at our best but we did exactly what we needed to do and we were very mature and a very professional performance, that’s exactly what we need at this stage of the season."
Sergio Aguero netted the City's first after just 19 seconds, and has now scored 15 goals in 24 Premier League appearances. Kompany believes the Argentine will add to that tally with the quality of service he receives.
The City captain continued: "It’s only his first season. He’s showing so many great things for the team, I have a feeling that when he’s settled in he’ll score a few more.
"He had some more chances today and it just shows that there will be great chances with players like Yaya [Toure], David [Silva] and [Samir] Nasri the strikers have a lot of fun up front."
Toure announced his return from the African Cup of Nations with a good display in the first-leg in Portugal, and was one of City's top performers again at the Etihad. Kompany believes City's squad has never been stronger.
He added: "It’s great to have [Yaya Toure] back. The end of the season is approaching and I don't think our team has ever been stronger so this is a great time."
| Sign up with Luxbet for a free bet up to $300 |
|
Inside Goal.Com
-
The Ukraine police Amnesty are battling to control
The human rights organisation have raised concerns about the brutality reported in the country ahead of Euro 2012, with police still stuck in their old Soviet ways
-
ANALYSIS: Australian starlets learn trade at River
Lajos Hun, Jack Caminiti and Raymond Lay left their native country to play at Argentina's most celebrated football academy, where they are slowly adapting to life in Buenos Aires
-
Spain's No.9: Torres making up for Villa's absence
The Chelsea forward looked sharp and scored La Roja's first in a 4-1 win over South Korea on Wednesday. And with the Barcelona man sidelined, it looks like a timely return to form
-
Almost half of England fans anticipate a howler
Supporters of the Three Lions will be hoping their side will cut out the costly errors while 80% of Swedish supporters would give up alcohol for a month to see their team triumph
-
The full squad lists of every team at Euro 2012
From Croatia to Ukraine, through Italy & Spain, Goal.com makes it easy to navigate through all 16 teams involved in this summer's European showpiece event