• Premier League

Nasri: City have learnt from their mistakes

Samir Nasri believes Manchester City have learned the lessons from their previous attempt to retain the title.

City were champions in 2011-12 but finished 11 points behind Manchester United the following season.

But while Manuel Pellegrini's side were nine points adrift of leaders Chelsea in November, they have now closed the gap to three points.

And Nasri believes they are older and wiser for their experience two years ago, saying: "We are aware of what happened. That is an example for us. We know what we need to do and what not to do.

Samir Nasri is confident Manchester City can retain their Premier League title © Getty Images

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"We learn from our mistakes. We finished 11 points behind United. I know this year this will not happen. All we want is to win the league again. We are going to do everything to win the league again.

Everyone is stronger, more mature. You get stronger mentally, you know how to deal with different situations. In this club we have been through different situations. We know how to deal with it, how to deal with pressure."

In both of City's title-winning campaigns, they have come from eight points behind the leaders and Nasri takes heart from their ability to finish the season strongly.

He added: "We know when we are second and chasing someone we are good at it. We know how to deal with every situation and we are ready for it."

City had won seven successive league games before they were held to a surprise draw by relegation-threatened Burnley on Sunday.

It denied them a 10th successive victory in all competitions, which could have been a new club record.

But Nasri said: "No one talks about the record. It doesn't matter. The important thing for us was to finish the year at home with a win, with 45 points from the first half of the season. We didn't - but don't worry. We are not a team that looks up all the numbers. All we want to do is win."

City had a 2-0 lead against Burnley and Nasri felt they needed to be more ruthless.

He explained: "We just have to be more clinical up front. We have to score, we have to kill the game sometimes. But sometimes you can make mistakes."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd