7 April 2011
The UEFA Europa League quarterfinals begin on Thursday evening, with no less than three Portuguese teams looking to advance into the semifinals.
Porto, who have already wrapped up the 2010/11 Portuguese Liga title, host Spartak Moscow at Estadio do Dragao in the first leg of their tie.
The main concern for coach Andre Villas-Boasis that Portos celebrations from clinching their 25th league title at the weekend do not affect their concentration ahead of this evenings game.
“The most important thing is that we make the transition from euphoric to competitive,” said Villas-Boas.
“After the party comes the challenge of returning to this competition with a competitive attitude. Playing the first leg at home won’t be a problem, and we will take the example of the year we won the UEFA Cup [2003] when the away matches were fundamental to our progress through each round.”
Benfica are also at home tonight, facing Dutch side PSV Eindhoven. Rather than play a conservative style in the first leg, PSV coach Fred Rutten claims his team will go for the jugular and attack, targeting what he sees as a weak Benfica backline.
“Benfica are the strongest team we have faced until now. At home they attack a lot and sometimes they forget the defence, which is why they concede so many. Individually Benfica have strong players that can win matches. Like all teams they have their weaknesses and we’ll try to exploit them,” explained Rutten.
The third Portuguese team, Braga, are away to Dynamo Kyiv, whose coach, Yuri Semin, believes the Ukraine team will be in for stern test: “They (Braga) are playing some quality football at the moment, so I’m braced for a tough game,” he warned. “They are physically impressive and work as a team let’s not forget they beat Liverpool.”
Perhaps the favourites to win the Europa League is Spanish club Villareal. The Yellow Submarine have a fine home record at El Madrigal and will hoping to make extend it when they host FC Twente.
Villareal coach Juan Carlos Garrido believes it will be a tight affair: “The match will be very balanced and close, it’ll be decided by small details,” said Garrido.
“Everyone is very motivated, everyone knows the importance of this game and we’re looking for a positive outcome from the first leg. We’re facing a great team that’s first in the Dutch league and in great form. We respect them and we know their qualities.”
UEFA Europa League fixtures:
Quarterfinals, first leg
Thursday, April 7
Porto v Spartak Moscow Estadio do Dragao, Porto
Benfica v PSV Eindhoven Estadio da Luz, Lisbon
Villareal v FC Twente Estadio El Madrigal, Villareal
Dynamo Kyiv v Braga Lobanovsky Stadium, Kyiv
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