Roberto Mancini would like to punch Samir Nasri, following the midfielder’s man-of-the-match display in Manchester City’s 4-0 win against Newcastle on Saturday.
Nasri joined City from Arsenal in 2011 and helped them to the Premier League title last season, but he has not reproduced his form this campaign.
And, after witnessing the 25-year-old run rings around Newcastle, Mancini’s frustration with the Frenchman was apparent.
“I would like to give him a punch,” the Italian told the Daily Mail. “Because a player like him should play like today always. Always. Every game.
“Maybe one game sometimes he can play badly but with his quality that is all.”
Nasri completed 70 minutes on Saturday and provided an assist – the first time he has achieved either of those in the league since December.
After featuring prominently in this season’s opening day victory over Southampton, Mancini may have expected him to be a key player once again.
However, Nasri’s lengthy dip in form has coincided with Manchester United running away with the title – something which has annoyed his boss.
“I don’t know what the difference was today,” said Mancini. “I can’t understand sometimes a player with his quality doesn’t play like today every game.
“I think that the second year is always difficult to win again and sometimes a player can think it is enough to play 50 per cent.”
And the Italian will be hoping Nasri can reproduce this weekend’s display in the coming weeks, as City look to cement second place and regain the FA Cup.
He added: “I don’t know if Samir agrees but I think that every player is intelligent and is clever to understand his performance.
“I think that today he knows that he played very well.”
Image courtesy of mcfc, via YouTube, with thanks.
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