Riquelme bullish ahead of Toffees tie
Sunday, 7 August 2005 17:27Juan Roman Riquelme believes Villarreal's experience of knock-out European football could be a significant advantage to take into the Champions League qualifier against Everton.
The teams meet at Goodison Park on Tuesday and then in Spain on August 24, with the winners of the two-leg tie taking their place in the lucrative group stages.
Whereas Everton have featured only once in Europe since English clubs were re-admitted, Villarreal has been semi-finalists and quarter-finalists in the UEFA Cup over the past two seasons.
"That has really helped us take on this tie," said playmaker Riquelme, "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 finished an impressive third in the Primera Liga last season, behind champions Barcelona and Real Madrid.
And with 25-goal striker Diego Forlan returning to England with a point to prove after his unsuccessful spell at Manchester United, they are not short on confidence.
"I don't know what Everton are going to do because I never pay much attention to our opponents," said Riquelme.
"What I worry about is that we play as we know how to."
Their league placing last season caught many in Spain by surprise, with the likes of Valencia and Atletico Madrid trailing far in their wake.
