Fuente : Everton FC
http://www.evertonfc.com/

EVERTON: RIQUELME IN CONFIDENT MOOD

/noticias.info/ Villarreal’s Juan Roman Riquelme is boasting that the Spaniard’s experience of knock-out European football will give them the advantage in Tuesday’s Champions League qualifier.

Everton go into the game against the ‘Yellow Submarine’ in the first leg of the third round qualifier without having played any competitive European football for 10 years.

The last time the Blues were involved in Europe was in the now defunct Cup Winners’ Cup in 1995 whereas Villarreal have been UEFA Cup quarter and semi-finalists in the past two seasons.

Riquelme said: “That has really helped us take on this tie although we know it is not the same playing in the Champions League as it is in the UEFA Cup and that is why we have to knock Everton out.

“Nobody needs to tell us what is at stake, everyone knows how important it is and we are all very motivated.”

Villarreal are in confident mood ahead of the game and arrived on Merseyside on Sunday evening to prepare for their very own Champions League debut and seemingly have no fears about the threat the Blues possess.

Billed as the best Spanish team behind Barcelona last season, they managed a third place finish overall in La Liga surpassing many of their rivals such as Valencia and Atletico Madrid.

“I don't know what Everton are going to do because I never pay much attention to our opponents,” added Riquelme.

“What I worry about is that we play as we know how to. If we can play football like that and the team believes it can do that, then I think we have a really good chance.

“We'll see if they Everton are the hardest side we could have got or not at the end of the tie. At first glance that could seem to be the case, but we will find out for sure on the pitch.” notas_de_prensa_archivo