Nabil positive after point at Partizan

Nabil Bentaleb reflected on a "good point" won following our tough trip to Partizan.

It was a testing game in front of a vociferous Belgrade crowd with Harry Kane hitting the crossbar early on and Hugo Lloris rarely called into meaningful action at the other end.

A clean sheet ensured we kicked off our Europa League Group C campaign with a point, while Besiktas shared the spoils with Asteras Tripolis to leave all four teams level in the standings.

“We knew it was going to be a really tough game and it was going to be hard to play attractive football like we do normally,” said Nabil. “You are never happy when you go away from home in Europe and don’t come back with three points but it was a tough game and we managed to get a good point.

“Keeping a clean sheet is important, we didn’t concede and we stayed strong. We have to remember this and beat them at home.”

Nabil and Benji Stambouli started in midfield together for the first time in Serbia and our Algerian international revealed that the summer recruit from Montepllier is adapting well to life at the Club. “He has settled in really well,” he said. “He’s a good lad, he’s enthusiastic and he brings a lot to the table.”

Nabil was also impressed by debutant Federico Fazio. “We know he’s a really good player, he helps us in the air with his height and he can pass the ball,” he added. “Even though it was hard today he really helped us.”

After two successive draws following the Liverpool defeat, Nabil is confident that we can get back on track against West Brom at the Lane on Sunday.

“We have to get back to winning ways with a winning mentality,” he said. “We have to go back to that feeling you get when you win and Sunday is a good one for us to get three points. We have a good spirit and we’ll show that on Sunday.”

The lads wore our third kit for the game - pick up your third kit today!