Manchester City conceded four goals in 36 hapless minutes yesterday as they slumped to a 4-2 defeat by VfB Stuttgart in a pre-season friendly.

The Bundesliga club took full advantage of a shambolic defensive display by the visitors in the first half.

Serbian midfielder Filip Kostic struck after 14 minutes and further goals followed from midfielder Daniel Didavi after 30 and fellow German striker Daniel Ginczek who netted twice in the 35th and 36th.

Pellegrini withdrew captain Vincent Kompany at halftime, replacing him with fellow Belgian Jason Denayer in a reshuffle that saw Ivory Coast striker Wilfried Bony replaced by 18-year-old Nigerian striker Kelechi Iheanacho.

Argentine Bruno Zuculini also came on for George Evans and City hit back with two goals in the final eight minutes.

The lively Iheanacho grabbed the first and late substitute Edin Dzeko notched the second, the Bosnian target man converting from close range.

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