Sami Nasri has admitted that he fell out of love with football last season at Manchester City.
The French midfielder started just four Premier League matches last season and was quickly ruled out of Pep Guardiola’s plans for the new season.
When Seville put an offer on the table during the summer Nasri quickly agreed terms to move to the south of Spain and has been a key part of Jorge Sampaoli’s plans which includes Champions League football.
Tonight Nasri will be on the big stage against Juventus and is delighted at the course of events that his career has taken in the second half of the year.
“I needed to rediscover my love for the game, for playing,” he admitted to UEFA.com. “Last season I was injured for six months so I missed playing football. Sevilla have won three Europa Leagues in a row, and now they’re playing in the Champions League.
“They’re competing to get into the top four in the Liga, so on a sporting level it was a very interesting challenge. I also really enjoy the lifestyle and the climate.”
A draw at home tonight to Juventus will ensure a place in the last 16 of the Champions League while a win would ensure a first place finish and seeded place in the knock out phase- and giving up on the chance to retain the Europa League.