Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini says his players are far from peak match fitness due to the World Cup.
England duo Gareth Barry and Shaun Wright-Phillips were given an extended break after the tournament in South Africa.
The same applied to Carlos Tevez, Kolo Toure and summer signings, Yaya Toure and David Silva.
Barry and Silva played only part of the Europa League play-off first leg against Timisoara on Thursday, which City won 1-0.
Mancini said: "Those who played in the first half like Gareth and David played well. But I think all the players who played in the World Cup need time (to build up their fitness).
"We also need time for the players to get to know each other and to improve as a team."
