LONDON: Manchester City stars Gareth Barry and Vincent Kompany have backed Joe Hart after manager Roberto Mancini blasted the goalkeeper's reaction to their 3-2 defeat to Real Madrid at Santiago Bernabeu in the Champions League on Tuesday.

Hart had insisted it was "not on" for the Premier League champions to have let a late 2-1 lead slip, insisting: "I am the judge, not Joe Hart."

And Barry claimed the City players agreed with the 25-year-old's sentiments, and praised his performance against the Spanish champions.

When asked what mood the England No. 1 was in after the game, Barry said: "The same as everyone else.

"He's played a great game and made some unbelievable saves and to have a couple of deflections beat him in the end is disappointing. His head's down but he'll realise when he gets home he's played a great game as well."

Barry admitted his disappointment at the defeat but insisted the City squad have enough quality to bounce back and seal progression to the knockout phase.

"There's so many positives we can take but at the same time we've got to look at the picture. We've lost the first game, it's going to be tough from now but we've confidence in our squad. We're going to need some big performances, and we believe we can do that," said the midfielder.

Captain and centerback Kompany also defended Hart for his role in Cristiano Ronaldo's late winner, refusing to lay blame on the former Shrewsbury Town man.

"It wasn't Joe's fault. It floated past everyone, the way it went down. It's one of those things. There's not many players in the world who can do that but unfortunately for us he is one of them.

"Joe initially thought I might have been able to get it. But there was no chance. It was to the side of me and it just floated. I think he's one of the only players that can do that. He's got that skill.

"We hoped that moment would not have come. It happens sometimes - he has shots like that. He was too quick, the way it floated. By the time you got in position it's already gone.

"You have to remember Real Madrid will probably take the points off Ajax and Dortmund here too. So there's no drama.

"It's just regrettable because we had a good chance to win the game. You won't hear me moan or being silly about it. But it was only the first game in the Champions League and there are plenty more to come. For us there could only be a bonus point here," said the Belgium international.

- mD