Messi is from another galaxy, but Suarez and Neymar don't scare us - Nasri

The midfielder is adamant his team-mates have the same level of quality as Tuesday's opponents, but acknowledged the threat posed by Barcelona's talisman

Nasri says Barcelona star Lionel Messi is "from another galaxy" but insists in Sergio Aguero Manchester City have a player at the same level as Neymar and Luis Suarez.

City face Luis Enrique's side at the Etihad Stadium in the first leg of their round of 16 Champions League tie on Tuesday looking to avenge last season's defeat that saw the Premier League side crash out at the same stage 4-1 on aggregate.

Barca have an embarrassment of riches in attack but were beaten by Malaga at Camp Nou on Saturday and Nasri is adamant that only Messi is a level above City's own array of talent.

He told reporters: "Messi and [Cristiano] Ronaldo play in their own galaxy. But the rest, Suarez and Neymar, they are the same level as Sergio [Aguero]. We are not going to be scared."

Speaking about their defeat to the Catalans last season, he continued: "I think it was too much of a big game for us. We gave Barca too much respect last year. This year is different. We know what we're capable of.

"We want to beat Barcelona because we want to go as far as possible in the competition. Not because of revenge. We are better physically than last year, everything will be different this year. We respect them as a club but we are not going to be scared."

Nasri admitted it was time City made more of a splash in Europe's elite club competition given the lavish investment from their Middle Eastern owners.

He added: "We have had a lot of success in the Premier League in the last few years, and the fans are very passionate about the competition. In the Champions league we need to create our history - to build this special relationship with the fans."