Last Updated: Thu, 29 Nov 2012 14:09
Manchester City centre back Matija Nastasic hopes he can become as good a defender as captain Vincent Kompany.
The 19-year-old, who joined City from Serie A side Fiorentina this summer, impressed in the 2-0 Barclays Premier League win over Wigan at the DW Stadium on Wednesday night. Mario Balotelli, who made his first start in six matches, gave City the lead in the 69th minute before substitute James Milner hit a stunning second three minutes later to seal the win.
While Balotelli was busy writing headlines with his first Premier League goal of the season, Nastasic continued to quietly forge a solid defensive partnership with Vincent Kompany at the other end of the pitch, even though Joleon Lescott was available for selection after returning from injury.
The composed teenager has been in good form and has become a key part of a City defence that has kept five clean sheets in their last six league games. However, while the Serbian says he is enjoying the English game, he is still learning alongside one of the best defenders in the business in the form of Kompany.
"It's going very well. I'm very happy. The road is the right one and I think I'm going the right way," Nastasic said. "I've been here for the last two or three months and, yes, I am playing with Vinnie (Kompany) but the other guys are good - Joleon, Kolo (Toure) - and they can also play well but I'm feeling good.
"We (Vincent and I) talk every day on the pitch and on the training ground, and it makes me happy to play alongside such an excellent captain and in such a good team. I do like the way the English game is because it is quite quick. In Italy it is a little bit slower but I do like it and I prefer to pay in a quick game. Whatever I am learning, I am learning along with Vinnie."
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