Vincent Kompany claims a trip to Stoke is tougher than the Nou Camp

Of course it is

Vincent Kompany has played down the daunting task facing Manchester City as they travel to Spain to take on Barcelona tomorrow evening, instead suggesting a visit to Stoke could be a more challenging proposition. It's the first leg of the sides' Champions League, last-16 tie and City will be going to the Nou Camp full of confidence after thrashing Newcastle 5-0 on Saturday as the Spanish giants were slipping up at home to Malaga. And while the likes of Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez are sure to pose a stiffer challenge than the flightless Magpies, Kompany insists the trip will not be the club's toughest away fixture of the season, instead highlighting the visit to the Britannia Stadium in Stoke, where they racked up a 4-1 victory just a fortnight ago. But that was City's first ever win at the Britannia, and Kompany said of Barcelona: 'I think their ability is not about hurting you all game - you can have tougher games when you go to Stoke City - it's about the fact they can decide a game within a second,' the Belgium defender said. 'So we have to prepare and I think everyone is ready for it. We don't fear them. You don't go in at this level fearing strikers. 'We want to play against them. It's the fourth time in a year now. There's nothing new to worry us, it's a case of having the whole team at a very high level.'