Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini defended his players after their defeat to Sporting Lisbon in New York.
Two first-half goals from Sporting Lisbon striker Yannick Djalo won the game for the Portuguese who are about to start the new season.
Mancini said: "We were missing maybe 15 or 16 players and were playing against a team who are further on with their preparations for the new season.
"They have played maybe eight games and have the Europa League next week so it is normal that we were slower.
"There are a number of players who are just training and maybe six or seven who are not yet back because they played at the World Cup.
"We are building our squad and still have 20 days to go."
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