Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini has hung his defenders out to dry after another Champions League defeat at Ajax.

It has been suggested that Mancini's creaking defence are not being helped out by the midfielders in front of them but, again, Mancini was having none of it.

The former Inter Milan boss said: "No, that's an excuse.

"Strong defenders are capable of defending together because, sometimes, when you lose a midfielder in front you need to work with only four defenders.

"Right now maybe we aren't 100 per cent and for this reason we have to work.

"We have good players but if you don't concentrate or you are not 100 per cent, you can make mistakes."