Nasri Ready For Austria Test
Wednesday, 03 September 08, 07:13 PM · Comments(0)
Young French midfielder Samir Nasri is looking forward to the World Cup qualifying campaign, but warns that the forthcoming matches against Austria and Serbia will be
difficult affairs…
Saturday should see Arsenal midfielder Samir Nasri win his 13th international cap at the age of just 21. It will be a special fixture for the offensive midfielder as it will be his first ever
World Cup match, albeit a qualifier against Austria.
“It will be very difficult,” Nasri admiited of the Austria test to l’Equipe, “Serbia will not be any easier. They have players of high quality. And then we must go to Romania, where it is always difficult to impose your style.”
A new-look French side, which should see a greater emphasis on offensive play, will travel to Vienna with “a true team spirit” according to the attacking midfielder, who hints that such a thing was lacking during France’s ill-fated Euro2008 campaign.
Under-used during les Bleus’ summer fixtures, Nasri was the unfortunate victim of a tactical change by Raymond Domenech after Eric Abidal was sent-off against Italy. Having only come on as a substitute for the injured Franck Ribery 13 minutes previously, Nasri was withdrawn to make way for an additional defender.
Melodrama
He appears to hold no grudge against Domenech for this decision. “I understand the decision of the coach,” he continued, speaking with maturity, “I am not going to make a melodrama out of it. In such cases it is necessary to put your ego to one side.”
While Nasri was not as busy competitively as he might have liked during the summer months, he did complete a much-discussed move to Arsenal. London life appears to suit the youngster. “I have lost a little of the sun and the sea,” he states, “But without regret. It is too hot in Marseille at this time of year!
“I can live quietly [in London]. I am not badgered. People greet me, but it stops there.”
Nasri would agree that the style of the Premier League is more physical than Ligue 1 but, if his reaction to Joey Barton’s rash challenge on Saturday is anything to go by, appears to be prepared to meet the challenge head on.
Robin Bairner
“It will be very difficult,” Nasri admiited of the Austria test to l’Equipe, “Serbia will not be any easier. They have players of high quality. And then we must go to Romania, where it is always difficult to impose your style.”
A new-look French side, which should see a greater emphasis on offensive play, will travel to Vienna with “a true team spirit” according to the attacking midfielder, who hints that such a thing was lacking during France’s ill-fated Euro2008 campaign.
Under-used during les Bleus’ summer fixtures, Nasri was the unfortunate victim of a tactical change by Raymond Domenech after Eric Abidal was sent-off against Italy. Having only come on as a substitute for the injured Franck Ribery 13 minutes previously, Nasri was withdrawn to make way for an additional defender.
Melodrama
He appears to hold no grudge against Domenech for this decision. “I understand the decision of the coach,” he continued, speaking with maturity, “I am not going to make a melodrama out of it. In such cases it is necessary to put your ego to one side.”
While Nasri was not as busy competitively as he might have liked during the summer months, he did complete a much-discussed move to Arsenal. London life appears to suit the youngster. “I have lost a little of the sun and the sea,” he states, “But without regret. It is too hot in Marseille at this time of year!
“I can live quietly [in London]. I am not badgered. People greet me, but it stops there.”
Nasri would agree that the style of the Premier League is more physical than Ligue 1 but, if his reaction to Joey Barton’s rash challenge on Saturday is anything to go by, appears to be prepared to meet the challenge head on.
Robin Bairner
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