City star out to end Barca jinx

MANCHESTER City playmaker Samir Nasri feels it is about time he got the better of Barcelona.

Nasri has had little joy in his previous encounters with Barca and wants to change that as City

challenge the Catalan giants for a place in the Champions League quarter–finals.

City and Nasri were beaten by Barca, 4–1 on aggregate at the same stage a year ago.

The Frenchman was also twice knocked out by the Spanish side in his days with Arsenal.

Nasri said: "I just hope this time I am going to go through. I think we respected them too much but, at the same time, last year didn't have enough experience to compete with a club like this.

Barcelona bring a star–studded squad to Manchester, spearheaded by their formidable attacking trio of Messi, Neymar and Suarez. Messi is in fearsome form having scored 37 goals this season, but City know they cannot afford to focus too much on stopping him.

Respect between the two clubs is mutual on the eve of the contest: Barca defender Gerard Pique has hailed City as one of the best teams in the world.