City’s plea for help rejected

MANCHESTER City’s unsuccessful attempt to have their game against southampton on sunday rescheduled has underlined the club’s belief that english football must do more to protect the interests of clubs playing in europe.

The 4.30pm kick- off at st Mary’s is three daysys before City face Real Madrid in the second leg of their Champions League semi- final at the Bernabeu on Wednesday night. But a request to have the match brought forward d by 24 hours was rejectedd by the Premier League.

City feel greater dispensation is given to spanish clubs. Madrid face Real sociedad on saturday afternoon and so have an extra day to prepare for the second leg.

With the score poised at 0-0, City skipper Vincent Kompany said: ‘it’s a career-defining game. We are very much in the tie. it’s an uncomfortable result (for Madrid). it’s a pressu- rising result because you are at home and your fans are expecting you to go forward and score goals, and that can leave gaps. ‘so i expect us to score a goal, and if we do, the game is going to be really interesting. if we don’t manage to score, what claims can we make for going to the final?’ MadridMad expect to have CristianoCri Ronaldo back forfo the second leg, a although he will require s stem cell treatment in Madrid to mend a small tear in his thigh. Ronaldo’s team-mate CasemiroC said: ‘i am sures Cristiano will play in the second leg. he’s not a kid, he knows it was the bbest thing for him to be rested.’rested. John stones, a target for both City and Madrid, was at the etihad to watch the first leg. everton will do all they can to keep stones this summer, although he seems likely to leave after a disappointing season. Chelsea and Barcelona are also keen but stones would rather stay in the north West.