Champions League: Samir Nasri says Manchester City players' futures on line against Bayern Munich
Tuesday 25 November 2014 19:13, UK
Samir Nasri says the futures of Manchester City's players are on the line against Bayern Munich tonight.
Defeat at the Etihad and a winner in the game between CSKA Moscow and Roma would mean elimination at the group stage of the Champions League for the third time in four years.
And Nasri knows that record is unacceptable given the ambition and financial backing of the club's owners.
The 27-year-old said: "Sometimes people say our team is a little bit old, that's what I read. A midfield player is in his prime at 27-31, 28-32, so I think it's the perfect age.
"And let's be honest, we need to do something or otherwise next year it is going to be new players. That's how we work when you play for a big team, a big club. You have to respond and show everyone you deserve to qualify.
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"I think we are really lucky we are two points behind with two games left and have a chance to qualify. We need to take it now because we are not going to have any favours from anyone else any more.
"Let's be honest. With the salary of every player and the level of those players, 90% of the team is world class. Then not to qualify from the first round of the Champions League would be a huge blow for the club - and for us as well."
City are facing opponents already assured of top spot in Group E and missing a number of injured players, including their captain Philipp Lahm.
But City are without key men David Silva and Yaya Toure, while Fernandinho, Edin Dzeko and Aleksandr Kolarov are also missing.
Manuel Pellegrini said on the eve of the game he is expecting Bayern to be as strong as ever after an unbeaten start to the season in both the Bundesliga and Champions League.
But he said: "The team will fight to the end to continue in the Champions League. Nobody - not me nor the team - is happy with the way we've played this group stage, and we have a last chance."
Watch CSKA Moscow v Roma live on Sky Sports 5 from 5pm this evening.
