The Belgian defender believes home advantage should mean exactly that and wants the City supporters to lift the players at crucial stages of what is likely to be a titanic battle with United.
“I would just ask our fans to be as loud as they can from the word go until the final whistle and to support us with same intensity through the good patches and the bad patches – that kind of support will definitely give us a huge advantage,” he said.
“I don’t need to stress the importance of this game to anyone so we will prepare for a difficult match and ignore everything else that’s going on around us that is not necessary.
“We just need to focus on the 90 minutes-plus on the pitch and approach the game in the correct manner. We have to show our belief on the pitch, perform and give everything we have on Monday evening – that is what will be most important – not allowing this moment to pass us by.”
With 49 points out of a possible 51 at home so far, results at the Etihad Stadium have proved to be the foundation of City’s title bid this season, but Kompany says that record has been earned through hard work.
“I guess the only reason we’ve been so good at home is because we’ve prepared well for those games,” he said.
Nothing has come easy to us – we’ve done well because we’ve earned everything we’ve achieved so far
...Vincent Kompany
Kompany also says he is not surprised the Blues have something of a second chance in the title race, or that United have dropped points of late.
“It’s not surprised me that United have dropped points lately, but I’ve always maintained I don’t care what they or any other team are doing,” said City’s 2011 Player of the Year.
“This league is very difficult and when we dropped points, it wasn’t because we played badly but because the other teams played well, and the same could be said about United.
“This game won’t decide the title and after the derby, there will still be a lot to play for.”
