The in-form City midfielder expects a stern test at Stamford Bridge, but says the team are buoyant and will head to West London looking for another three points on Sunday.
“Winning at West Ham and CSKA means we will go into this game with a lot more confidence,” said Nasri. “It was important we started winning away in the Premier League but we know Chelsea won’t be an easy game.
“I think they are more complete than they were last season – they are always a threat, especially on their own pitch and with Jose Mourinho returning, that’s even more the case so we will have to be at our best if we are to get a good result.”
Nasri has scored three goals in four games for City against the Pensioners and has a 100% winning record against them since he joined City.
He played in two Etihad Premier League victories plus the FA Cup semi-final and FA Community Shield and is hoping to continue that run this weekend.
“I especially love the big games because those are the ones everybody wants to play in and it’s true I enjoy playing against Chelsea,” he smiled.
I’ve scored a few goals against them since I’ve been at City and the goal I scored against Chelsea in 2012 which made it 2-1 was one of my favourites and it was very important at the time
...Samir Nasri...
Nasri believes his productive partnership with David Silva could be vital in the coming weeks and months, too. The pair have shared nine assists so far this season with Nasri on four and Silva on five as they reproduce the kind of creativity that helped the Sky Blues to the title in 2012.
“When I first arrived here, we played a lot together and we won the Premier League,” said Nasri. “We play a lot of possession football so it’s better to have two play-makers on the pitch to help keep the ball and can make something happen with a pass or with a piece of skill.
“The style we are playing suits my game and it suits David’s because when you have the ball, there is always a solution and that’s how it needs to be if you want to play attractive football.
“We play one touch, two touch or whatever is needed to move the ball forward and at pace higher up the pitch. It’s a good mentality, it’s what the manager and we have to keep it up.”
*Tickets are still available for City v CSKA Moscow, which will go a long way to deciding the Sky Blues UCL group fate. They are priced from £33 for Adults and £17.50 for Under 16s.
Purchase online here, or call 0161 444 1894 option 1, option 1, option 2 (tickets purchased over the telephone are subject to a £2.50 booking fee per ticket), or visit the Ticket Office located on the first floor of the Etihad Stadium City Store. For more details please click here.
