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Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini has branded the Premier League “unbelievable” for refusing to move their game with Southampton.

Pellegrini's Blues play at St Mary’s Stadium on Sunday in a game that starts at 4.30pm, ahead of their delicately-poised Champions League semi-final 's second leg at Real Madrid three days later.

With their Spanish opponents facing Real Sociedad in a Saturday 3pm kickoff, City asked the Premier League to bring forward their game, to ensure they had the same preparation and recovery time as their hosts.

But the Premier League rejected the request to shift the Southampton match and outgoing boss Pellegrini, who makes way for Pep Guardiola this summer, has accused the Premier League and FA of doing nothing to help English clubs competing in Europe.

“For me it’s unbelievable,” said the Chilean, who has managed Villarreal, Real Madrid and Malaga in the knockout stages UEFA's elite club competition.

In pictures — Manchester City 0-0 Real Madrid:

“If you see other leagues, including Italy, the teams that play Champions League play their domestic games on a Friday.

“So I think it’s better for English football, because if you don’t continue in the Champions League – and I’m not talking just about Manchester City - maybe we’re going to lose a spot for the next season.

"So we are representing England.

“I didn’t ask the Premier League. It was the club, they have the conversations with the Premier League, so I don’t know why they couldn’t do it. But I was told it was impossible to change it.

“I think it's important not to give any advantage to the other team, but also you need to have three days’ to recover.

(Image: AFP/Getty Images)

“We’re going to have those three days, but we’re playing late on Sunday, in the last kick-off, and if you can have four days it’s better.”

It is the second time City have clashed with the authorities over fixture scheduling this season, with the FA refusing to switch the date of their FA Cup tie at Chelsea in February.

The Mancunian Blues wanted the game brought forward to give them more time to prepare for the away leg of their Champions League last 16 tie with Dynamo Kiev, but the FA rejected their request.

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Pellegrini played a severely weakened team that day, handing FIVE teenagers their debuts, and City were beaten 5-1.

He said he cannot imagine why the FA and Premier League do not do more to help English teams playing in European competitions.

(Image: Reuters)

“I don’t understand, having so many games, and with all the games having the same interest, why we can’t play 24 hours earlier?” said Pellegrini. “At least then we would have the same preparation time as Real Madrid, who play on the Saturday.

“You can’t continue to the Champions League and FA Cup to the end because you have three [Premier League] games postponed until the last week of the season. It’s impossible.”

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David Silva has been ruled out of Wednesday’s game at the Bernabeu, the playmaker having suffered a hamstring injury in the 0-0 first leg.

“David has small hamstring injury so he will not be fit for this week,” said the City boss. “He will need two or three weeks to recover.”