Though Manuel Pellegrini’s side are up against it to beat Barcelona in the Champions League, the Ivorian urges his side to repay the club for their huge investment

Manchester City star Yaya Toure has urged his team to prove their big money transfer fees against Barcelona in the Champions League on Wednesday.

Manuel Pellegrini’s men are facing a last-16 exit as they head to Camp Nou trailing 2-1 after a disappointing home defeat.

Defeat would bring to an end another disappointing European campaign, despite the club’s massive financial outlay on players in recent years, and Toure says it’s time to deliver.

“The club have been spending a lot of money to build the best players, try to make this club great and one of the top in Europe,” he told reporters.

“Now we have such a little bit of difficulty but I can say we continue to work hard because it’s not the first time we’ve been in this situation.

“We have the belief of the team and, as well, we know our fans will back us again because it’s going to be a tough game against Barcelona. We need to turn back this tide and we try to do it for the fans and for the club and for the people who continue to help us.”

Toure also backed captain Vincent Kompany, who has come in for criticism in recent weeks, to bounce back. The Belgium international was partly responsible for City’s shock 1-0 Premier League loss to Burnley, with his headed clearance falling for George Boyd to fire in.

“Well, I think Kompany, for me, is ready. I think every player, at some time, have some doubt, some problems,” the midfielder remarked.

“What is part of the football isn’t part of the year. Sometimes you will find ups and downs but I think he’s fully focused because this game is very, very important for us, for the club and as well for the fans. To pass this stage, we need to deliver and I hope we will deliver.”