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Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany turns attentions to Europa League following Champions League exit
The Belgian defender warned Napoli's opponents against complacency following their progression to the knockout stages after pin-pointing home draw against them as a costly result
By Jake Watson
Manchester City defender Vincent Kompany has now turned his attentions to the Europa League following his side's disappointing exit despite a win against Bayern Munich.
City’s first-ever venture into the Champions League ended at the group stages despite picking up a respectable 10 points from a tough Group E. Bayern Munich, Napoli and Villarreal made up the group and ultimately City’s lack of European experience found it fall just short.
“We have our 10 points but obviously this opponent [Bayern Munich], fair play to them. Well done to Napoli, they have a good team,” Kompany told Sky Sports.
“It’s the biggest mistake anyone can make, to underestimate this team [Napoli]. Champions League is finished now but there’s still so much to achieve now this season.
“The Europa league is now a realistic goal for us. The position we are in right now, we will celebrate any cup as if we won the league.”
Manchester City sat in second position in Group E at halftime with Napoli being held by Villarreal, however, Kompany insisted he was unaware of the scoreline in Spain throughout.
“I don’t even know. I only found out once I got off the pitch. I was assuming being 2-0 up I thought fans would be more enthusiastic," he told the sports outlet.
Manchester City will play no further part in this season's competition and the 25-year-old pin-pointed its opening fixture at home against Napoli as the defining result.
“Yeah we got 10 points," he added. "The main one was draw at home against Napoli. No shame losing over there, no shame against losing to Bayern Munich. But what did us was the draw at home against them."
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