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Partizan 0-0 Spurs - Mauricio's verdict

Thu 18 September 2014, 21:14|Tottenham Hotspur

Mauricio Pochettino was full of praise for Federico Fazio and Benji Stambouli as we secured a hard-earned point from our Europa League, Group C opener against Partizan Belgrade.

Federico didn’t put a foot wrong alongside Jan Vertonghen in central defence on his full debut while Benji put in the miles on his first start for us in the midfield anchor role.

Chances were few and far between at the Partizan Stadium. Harry Kane almost fired us into the lead with barely 60 seconds played but struck the underside of the crossbar while, at the other end, Hugo Lloris was forced into one fine save from Danilo Pantic in first half injury time.

“It was a tough game,” said Mauricio. “We talked yesterday about this game and that it would be difficult and in the end, a draw is a fair result.

“We competed, kept a clean sheet but we wanted the three points.

“It’s important not to lose these games, of course. It was difficult but we need to look forward and look at the positives, like Fazio and Stambouli making their first starts for us. They did very well.

“Now we need to look forward and prepare for West Brom on Sunday.”

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