Swansea City will look to win their first Europa League match when they face Valencia on Thursday
The English team heads to Spain for a meeting with one of the top teams in the competition; however, Swansea Coach Michael Laudrup believes that the team is up to the challenge.
"I already know we can beat anyone in this competition. We play against teams like Liverpool, Manchester City, Tottenham and Manchester United. Teams at the same level as Valencia," Laudrup said, according to ESPN. "So there is no reason why we cannot beat Valencia in a one-off game.
"If you play Valencia or Manchester United in 10 games, you know they will win more than us. But in one game, or two games in the group stage, it is possible."
Swansea City is coming off a huge 2-2 draw against first place Liverpool in the Premier League and currently sits in 13th place with just four points; the team's lone victory came against West Bromwich Albion a few weeks ago.
Valencia has also struggled in the early part of its season under new boss Miroslav Djukic and has only won one of its first three games. Despite the poor performance, the coach is confident in what his team can bring to its match against Swansea.
"I am strong and convinced of the possibilities of my team, but we are concerned that the team does not play as we want at the moment," he said, according to ESPN. "But I think it's a matter of trust and that is solved by winning games. I think sometimes we freeze, especially when we have the ball."
He added, "I want us to have the ball to do damage. It is time for us all to get together, to go out and fight with a cool head, to be calm and confident. The responsibility for that lies with me."
Prediction: The two sides draw 2-2
Start Time: 3:05 p.m. EST
- Contribute to this Story:
- Send us a tip
- Send us a photo or video
- Suggest a correction
