da roleta： Roberto Martinez says that the Europa League is an exciting challenge for his Everton side and one that will help his players to progress.
da doce： After narrowly missing out on a spot in the Champions League, the Toffees are gearing up for the continent’s second biggest club competition, with German side Wolfsburg set to take to the turf at Goodison Park tomorrow night.
While a number of managers – including Jose Mourinho in the run up to his side’s recent game – have slated the Europa League for it’s demanding Thursday night fixtures and long trips, Martinez is at the other end of the spectrum in regards to the tournament.
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The Spaniard says that it’s honour to be involved in games against big sides and that the extra fixtures and new challenges will help his squad to build on the development they made last season:
“We are very excited, we have been working hard for 12 months to achieve this opportunity.” He is quoted by The Mirror.
“The Europa League is a great competition. It’s where we need to be, testing ourselves. The only way to fulfil our potential is by playing games, like the one we are going to have tomorrow.
“The draw has been really kind in bringing two phenomenal football teams of the quality of Lille and Wolfsburg to Goodison.
“It’s a phenomenal challenge for us.
“But that’s what we want at Everton. That’s the expectation we want to bring to ourselves. We embrace playing in Europe and it’s what we need to fulfil our potential as a squad.
“I know the potential here is huge and in order to fulfil that, we have to play games like this one we are going to be facing tomorrow.”
Everton are in Group H alongside Wolfsburg, Lille and Russian side FC Krasnodar.
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