Vincent Kompany says that Manchester City are eager to close the gap on European giants Barcelona, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich.

City skipper Kompany believes the club is taking strides in the right direction and hopefully they will be challenging the elite European clubs this season in the Champions League.

"For the last five years since we have been in Champions League it has been Barcelona, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich, and that is it," he said ahead of Tuesday night's group stage opener against Juventus.

"They were the three strongest teams by miles and I think every other team has been playing catch-up.

"If I look at where we have come from and where we have got, we are doing OK for ourselves. Now it is all about the future.

"Facilities like we have here and the way we work with the academy and improve the squad every year, this is how we can close the gap. Will it happen this year? Hopefully.

"Even if we manage to beat them, I think they are still the three strongest teams. For us to close the gap, or any other team - Juventus is the same - it will take time and hard work over the years.

"Those teams are not just the best because they have a better badge or better colours, they are the best because they have been working on the squad for so many years, they have the academy putting talented players into the first team, they have always attracted the best players as well.

"For us to attract players like Sterling and De Bruyne we are a step closer but ultimately it will have to be proven on the pitch."