Vincent Kompany has branded his Manchester City side a “pack of lions” ready to maul Watford in the FA Cup Final and clinch an historic domestic Treble.
Victory on Saturday will see Pep Guardiola’s side become the first English side to win the domestic Treble, having already retained both the League Cup and Premier League title.
And skipper Kompany warned opponents Watford will be walking into the lion’s den when they come up against his remorseless winning machine at Wembley.
“I know this team and they’re like a pack of lions,” said the 33-year-old defender, who played in the City side that won the 2011 FA Cup Final against Stoke but was not yet captain.
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“When this team is hungry, they’re such a special team. I’m going to do everything I can to put a bit of blood in that water, so this team gets even hungrier.
“You can’t be complacent going into any game. Sometimes draws go in your favour along the way, but you still have to deal with the challenges in front of you and make sure you reach the final. To have reached this final and coming up against Watford is an achievement in itself, but now we need to try and win it.”
Kompany’s majestic 30-yard strike to seal a 1-0 win over Leicester in the penultimate Premier League game has been voted Goal of Season on BBC’s Match of the Day.
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But the Belgium international says that strike already feels like a distant memory in the wake of Sunday’s 4-1 title-clinching win at Brighton, which made them the first back-to-back champions in a decade.
“My goal feels like it happened two months ago,” joked Kompany.
“I’m grateful to Kun [Sergio Aguero] for scoring as quickly as he did on Sunday [after Brighton had taken the lead]. I’m grateful to [Aymeric] Laporte for scoring when he did [to snatch control of the title back from Liverpool, who needed City to draw or lose], and I’m grateful to [Riyad] Mahrez and [Ilkay] Gundogan. That sums us up. I’ve given four or five names and all these guys stepped up when they needed to.
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"We’re a big team and there’s no denying this. I’m so eager to play the FA Cup Final - I’m so motivated.”
Kompany admitted he rarely has to keep Guardiola’s players on their toes, given their relentless focus and desire, but admitted he will give it to them straight if he feels they are easing off.
“My style is pretty simple,” he said. “Every now and then, when things are getting too comfortable, I go a little aggressive in training or I speak up and say what I think. But the main thing is that these guys, together with the manager, are always able to understand what the priority is.
“We focus on winning games. Winning one title was not enough, it had been done before. Back to back - that’s special.”
