Man City prepare title defence in Austria

July 04, 2012 | 10:48
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Premier League champions Manchester City will prepare for the new season at a training camp in Seefeld, western Austria, from July 9-20, during which time they will play three friendlies, the club confirmed on Tuesday.

Manchester City's Italian manager Roberto Mancini celebrates with the Premier League trophy in May 2012. Premier League champions Manchester City will prepare for the new season at a training camp in Seefeld, western Austria, from July 9-20, during which time they will play three friendlies, the club confirmed on Tuesday. (AFP Photo/Paul Ellis)

Roberto Mancini's side will play Saudi club Al Hilal -- now coached by French former PSG boss Antoine Kombouare -- on July 13 in Innsbruck.

They will then meet German second division side Dynamo Dresden on July 17 and Turkish top flight side Besiktas on July 20 at the same venue.

Players who competed in Euro 2012 such as Italy's Mario Balotelli and Spaniard David Silva, have been given three weeks off by Mancini and will not be in Austria.

World and European champions Spain prepared for their successful Euro 2012 campaign in Austria in May.

AFP

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