Zabaleta happy with three-man Manchester City defence

By John Stammers | GOAL.com – Tue, Aug 14, 2012 1:54 AM SGT

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Pablo Zabaleta was happy to feature as part of a back three in Manchester City's Community Shield victory over Chelsea on Sunday.

Roberto Mancini has tested the 3-4-1-2 system in pre-season and may now favour it ahead of the upcoming Premier League campaign.

Zabaleta revealed that he was very happy with how the new shape worked both in training and on match-day, while indicating it could be a vital option with City fighting on various fronts domestically and in Europe this season.

"It is another system and another option the manager has," the 27-year-old Argentina international told reporters.

"We have been working with three at the back in pre-season and it worked well."

Mancini's men get the defence of their Premier League crown underway on Sunday when they play newly-promoted Southampton at the Etihad Stadium.

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