Germans angry at City rematch

WET THROUGH . . . a Borussia fan wrings out his shirt

MANCHESTER City and Borussia Monchengladbach must return to the Etihad Stadium tonight after torrential rain forced the abandonment of their Champions League opener last night.

While parts of the UK basked in the hottest day of the year, Manchester was lashed by a heavy thunderstorm early evening.

The pitch was quickly saturated and the areas surrounding the stadium were made dangerous by flash flooding.

The surface drained well when the weather eventually relented, but a decision to postpone the fixture was made around 20 minutes before the scheduled 7.45pm kick-off for safety and security reasons.

That led to prolonged discussions over when the game should be rescheduled ­- and Borussia were not pleased with the eventual outcome.

According to UEFA competition regulations ­- article 26.03 ­- a decision on a rearranged date should be announced within two hours of the postponement being confirmed, with the following day the clear and stated preference.

The German club wanted an earlier kick-off on Wednesday due to travel considerations and pushed for 6pm, but it is understood City were unable to secure the staffing levels to make that possible.

It was not until around 10.05pm ­- some 40 minutes later than stipulated ­- that confirmation of 7.45pm was announced.

Borussia spokesman Markus Aretz said: "We asked UEFA and Manchester City to play at 6pm because for sporting reasons we wanted to fly back to Germany.

"We are not happy, but we have to take it like it is. I think for the away team it is a disadvantage, without fans."

Around 1,600 Monchengladbach fans had travelled for the game and, while City supporters generally decided not to enter the arena, most of them had taken up their seats when the cancellation was announced. A large number of them were bare-chested and singing in defiance amid the storm, and they greeted the news with boos.

Monchengladbach defender Oscar Wendt said: "We are disappointed for the fans because 90 per cent of them will probably not be able to watch the rearranged game."

Meanwhile, Alexis Sanchez struck with 12 minutes remaining as Arsenal fought back to earn a 1-1 draw in their Champions League clash at Paris St Germain.

Edinson Cavani put PSG in front after 42 seconds.