Jorge Sampaoli has hailed Samir Nasri for “playing at a superlative level” since joining Sevilla but warns Alaves can “take advantage very well” on Saturday.
Nasri has wasted no time in making an impact at Sevilla with a goal and assist in his first three appearances, prompting Sampaoli to shower praise on the Manchester City loanee in an assessment that also included Ganso, Luciano Vietto and Sergio Rico.
“What we ask of him is that he’s Nasri and gives his best for Sevilla,” the Coach said at a Press conference.
“He played very little in the last part of his stay at City, but he has enormous potential and is playing at a superlative level for Sevilla.
“Ganso can play at the tip of a diamond in midfield, behind the striker.
“What he’s best at is assisting the strikers. We’re waiting on him to adapt quickly and give us what the team need from him.
“His game isn’t based on rhythm, but his way of doing things, and that’s why he’s here. He needs the break, he’s very quick mentally.
“We can’t evaluate Ganso now, we did it much earlier. Once he feels important, he’ll be important.
“He’s strong mentally, that’s where the crux of the matter lies, so he can show what type of player he is.
“We spoke to Luciano, but he had a great game, many chances were creates and that excites us.
“He can have a high statistic of goals, that’s what he needs. Lyon was one of the games that I liked most from Vietto.
“I’m happy that a player from Sevilla is in the national team. It’s deserved because Sergio has shown the ability to be called up.
“Competition changes in time, he has to know that he’s been chosen now, but this is a constant dynamic and he’ll have to maintain his performance levels.”
On Alaves, Sampaoli added: “We hope the team are fine and that their tension for this game hasn’t dropped from our important game [in the Champions League].
“They’re a team that take advantage very well of your intentions, they beat Barca well at Camp Nou, played a great game against Atletico and had a good match against Valencia.
“If we don’t go into the match well, our rivals will make it difficult for us.”
