'We will give everything,' vs. Porto, says Schalke 04’s Nabil Bentaleb

Nabil Bentaleb has vowed Schalke 04 will deliver when they meet Porto in Wednesday’s Champions League game at Estadio Do Dragao.

Domenico Tedesco’s men are second in Group D with eight points from four games behind their hosts who have 10 points. However, a win in this tie will secure their place in the knockout phase.

On Saturday the Royal Blues, against Nurnberg, returned to winning ways and the Algeria international who has scored four goals this season is looking forward to more ‘positive development’ at the club.

“We will give everything [against Porto],” Bentaleb told club website.

“I feel we have performed well in recent weeks, additionally in the Champions League.”

”The 5-2 win over Nurnberg felt very good! I sense plenty of positive development at the club.”

Bentaleb will face his Algeria teammate and 'close friend' Yacine Brahimi when Schalke visit Portugal.

“He is a close friend of mine. However, the friendship will be muted for 90 minutes. My sole aim is to defeat Yacine,” he continued.

The 24-year-old is also prepared to play any role his gaffer Tedesco deploys him to help the team.

“I simply want to help my team. The coach will play me in a position where I can best showcase my strengths,” he added.

Schalke, 14th in the Bundesliga log, still have seven games to play before Christmas and the former Tottenham Hotspur man is confident that himself, as well as his other teammates, will cope.

“The high intensity of matches isn’t bad. We are all professional footballers and love to have the opportunity to prove ourselves,” he said.

“We worked hard in pre-season to seize our opportunity in the Champions League. Playing in these matches is a reward for any footballer.”