The likes of Sergio Aguero were missing, but the French talisma stepped up and showed his quality with a short run and an unstoppable shot to send A.S Roma Out of Champions League

Perhaps Samir Nasri’s own words were going through his head at the Stadio Olimpico when he took possession of the ball out on the left, about 12 yards away
from the penalty area. “We still have a chance and we need to take it,” Nasri had said. “Now is the moment.”

There were plenty of bodies between Nasri and the goal, and nothing much for Roma to worry about. A pass looked the most likely option.

Five touches later the ball was in the back of the net and Manchester City, who had taken only two points from their first four games, were on their way past Roma and into the last 16 of the Champions League.

Just where they belong, according to Nasri. They may have been without Vincent Kompany, Yaya Toure and Sergio Aguero but, said Nasri, if City had failed it would have meant “next year it’s going to be new players”. The blame would have been entirely with the men on the pitch rather than coach Manuel Pellegrini, he added.
This was a goal to savour for City. Edin Dzeko, who replaced Aguero, won a free kick near the halfway line. City patiently played it short and six other players passed the ball around – Fernandinho, Eliaquim Mangala, Martin Demichelis, James Milner, Nasri, and Gael Clichy. 

All those men, as well as those not involved, played well on the night. But Nasri, the man who finished off the move, was the hero. He must have decided, just as he had said, that “now is the moment.”

Nasri moved inside, took four touches and fired an unstoppable shot from 20 yards past Morgan De Sanctis and into the goal off the goalkeeper’s right post. Absolutely brilliant.