Kompany’s rallying cry

MANCHESTER City captain Vincent Kompany is convinced his side can still play a big part in the Champions League this season.

City must beat Bayern Munich in their final Group ‘A’ match tonight and hope Napoli fail to win against Villarreal to avoid elimination from the competition.

The odds have been against Roberto Mancini's men since they lost in Naples a fortnight ago but Kompany insists nobody at the Etihad Stadium has given up hope.

The Belgium defender said: "We have experience in the competition.

"Maybe not as a club but, individually, we have enough experience in this competition.

"For me the only reason we have not qualified yet is because we are in the toughest group.

"I am convinced that whatever happens, we still have a lot to play for in Europe and I just hope it will be in the Champions League."

City are currently third in the group and will finish in that position and drop into the Europa League if the results do not go in their favour.

It has been suggested Bayern, having already qualified for the last 16 as pool winners, could do City a favour by fielding a below–strength team but Kompany does not accept that.

The 25–year–old said: "I expect Bayern to put out a strong team.

"That is one of the characteristics of such teams — they always want to win. They are a great team but I definitely think we still have a lot to show in this competition."

Joleon Lescott is pushing for a recall after being rested against Norwich.




Milan close in on Tevez



FOOTBALL: AC Milan have made an offer to Manchester City to sign Carlos Tevez on loan in January, the Italian club's vice president Adriano Galliani announced.



Galliani claims an agreement is in place with the forward, but no deal has yet been reached between the clubs.

Reports suggest Milan have offered to take Tevez on loan for six months with an option to sign the player permanently next summer for 23million Euros.