Pochettino said the result in Serbia was 'fair'

Published: 19 September, 2014
By DAN CARRIER

SPURS played out a battling goal less draw away at Partizan Belgrade in their opening game of the Europa League last night (Thursday).

Manager Mauricio Pochettino gave two summer signings debuts in the Serbian capital, with defender Federico Fazio and midfielder Benji Stambouli both starting. Other changes from the weekend Premiership game against Sunderland included Jan Vertonghen, Kyle Naughton, Ben Davies, Andros Townsend, Aaron Lennon, Nabil Bentaleb, Paulinho and Harry Kane all coming in.

And while the makeshift team had the better of the first half, they failed to make the break through. Kane came close in the opening exchanges, watching as his well struck shot hit the bar, and went close again on 28 minutes but dragged his shot wide. Partizan also had a few openings in the second period but failed to genuinely test Hugo Lloris in the Spurs goal. Pochettino told the clubs website he was happy with a point.

He said: “We knew it would be difficult. The result was fair. We competed and got a clean sheet. In the end it was a tough game and difficult to do well.” Spurs have to play Turkish team Besiktas and Greek side Asteras Tripoli in the round robin, opening phase of the Europa League until the competition reverts to a straight, two legged knock out in the New Year.