Schalke 04 midfielder Nabil Bentaleb has expressed disappointment following his team’s 3-2 defeat to Manchester City in the first leg of their Champions League round of 16 fixture.
With less than five minutes left in Wednesday’s encounter, the Royal Blues gave up their lead to bow to their Premier League visitors.
Watch Champions League | Soccer Live Streaming | DAZN CA
Bentaleb had given the hosts a first-half lead after cancelling Sergio Aguero’s strike with his brace from the penalty spot but the Citizens fought back with Leroy Sane and Raheem Sterling staging a dramatic comeback.
The loss dampened Schalke 04’s chances of progressing in the elite European competition but the 24-year-old has urged his teammates to believe and keep fighting.
"Disappointing result yesterday, we must believe and keep fighting," Bentaleb wrote on Instagram.
Domenico Tedesco's men return to league action against Mainz 05 on Saturday and Bentaleb will be looking to extend his tally of three goals in 21 Bundesliga appearances this term.