The Blues’ captain is urging the home support to make plenty of noise throughout the game and help the team reclaim top spot in the Premier League in the process.
“Nobody should ever underestimate what it gives us as a team and in a sporting way, I want our fans to make a hostile atmosphere for games like this because it can carry us over the line when we maybe we need it the most,” said Kompany.
“When our fans are up for it, it makes a huge difference to us. First of all it puts a lot of pressure on the opposition and secondly it gives us a feeling of release in the knowledge we will be backed in everything we try to do and that is priceless.
“It gives us an extra yard when we’re tiring or the extra power when you go in for a challenge. I know our fans still sing about the results from last season and I think they are entitled to re-live whatever moments they choose as often as they want.
“Ultimately, people come to games to be entertained and enjoy themselves and the fans are entitled to celebrate and have a fun time – it’s the players who need to move on and focus because that’s our job to do that. Our fans’ job is to have fun and create a great atmosphere.”
It was Kompany’s goal that separated the Manchester rivals the last time the teams met in this fixture and the victory put the Blues top with just two games remaining – a pivotal moment in the title race, though the Belgian prefers to play down his role in the 1-0 victory.
“When I look back to that game and the goal I scored, I don’t see it as being a key moment in the match,” he said with typical modesty.
“I’m just happy at the fact that, as a team, we were there and ready to perform on the night when it was most needed to most. That’s what I take from the game. We recovered from a tricky mid-season run and when it mattered we proved we were the real deal at a crucial point in the season.”
