‘We had one eye on Real match’

MANUEL PELLEGRINI insisted he would gamble Manchester City’s Premier League top-four finish all over again to prioritise the Champions League, even after a comprehensive 4-2 defeat at Southampton.

City were undone by Sadio Mane’s hat-trick on the south coast in a line-up showing eight changes from Tuesday’s goalless draw with Real Madrid in the Champions League semi-final first leg.

Pellegrini insisted he would do “exactly the same again” in terms of his vast rotation, despite accepting the defeat could impact Wednesday’s return leg in Madrid – and dent City’s chances of securing a top-four league finish.

City’s hefty defeat leaves that fourth-place Premier League finish in the balance, with Arsenal and Swansea still to play.

“I would do exactly the same again because we have an important game on Wednesday to play for the Champions League final,” said Pellegrini. “We continue in the Premier League in the next two games to be in the top four so that was a risk, but one we also had to take.

“I was very disappointed, especially in the defending.

“We knew before the game it was a risk but we have to take those risks because we have an important game on Wednesday.”

Pellegrini expects Yaya Toure, Vincent Kompany and Kevin De Bruyne to be ready for the Madrid trip, with all three not involved at St Mary’s Stadium.

Kelechi Iheanacho’s brace could boost his chances of facing Real, but Raheem Sterling failed to further his own cause with an ineffective display.

Mane’s hat-trick and Shane Long’s strike kept Saints’ Europa League qualification bid alive, with Tottenham and Crystal Palace left to play in the league.