Man City players are tired: Mancini

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini admits it could take several weeks before the Premier League champions hit peak form as their tired stars recover from Euro 2012.

Manchester City players during their EPL clash against Liverpool last week. PIC/Getty Images

City have made an unbeaten start to their title defence, but Mancini knows his side have been below their best so far, with an unconvincing 3-2 win over Southampton followed by a hard-fought 2-2 draw at Liverpool.

The Italian believes the main reason for City's lethargy is the mental and physical strain on his players after the European Championship in Poland and Ukraine.

Mancini decided to drop one of the key figures in his team, Spain's David Silva, for the trip to Liverpool because he felt the playmaker needed a rest and he does not expect an immediate improvement in today's clash with QPR at Eastlands.

"We don't have all the players in good form," Mancini said. "The international players started pre-season training on July 25. They are not in good form. This is one of the reasons.

"David started his pre-season late and for one week went to Puerto Rico with Spain. He needs training and maybe to play, but not for
90 minutes."

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