Saturday 29 September 2012 12:56, UK
Manchester City stars Carlos Tevez and David Silva's below-par form is due to fatigue from international commitments, according to manager Roberto Mancini.
"I think maybe he's so tired after the European Championship but I am not worried for him because even if he's not 100% he's still a good player." Mancini also defended his decision to mix up the centre-back partnership of Vincent Kompany and Joleon Lescott, which has been the backbone of the team in the last two terms. Against Liverpool, he brought in Kolo Toure for Lescott, and against Real Madrid chose Matija Nastasic over the England defender. "Against Liverpool it was because he had just come back from the national team and against Real Madrid I thought it was better to play in a different shape - only this," Mancini said. "Joleon Lescott is a player like Nastasic and like Kompany and I want all the players to play well. If he deserves to play, he's first choice, but this is for everyone - not only Joleon."
