Michael Laudrup believes Swansea can handle toppling any side inside Europa League as they prepare to open their Group A campaign in Valencia. The Swans came through qualifying clashes with Malmo and Petrolul Ploiesti for getting this far, but there's a particular step up in class against a Valencia team having a strong pedigree in European competition.
Los Che start as group favourites, but have elected a stuttering start to their Primera Division campaign under new boss Miroslav Djukic, losing three in their first four games, and so are currently for their worst run of results since 1999.
Los Che start as group favourites, but have elected a stuttering start to their Primera Division campaign under new boss Miroslav Djukic, losing three in their first four games, and so are currently for their worst run of results since 1999.
Laudrup is confident his side can emerge with a good result in Spain, and feels their wins within the likes of Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City since joining the Premier League ranks shows they will take on any side within the tournament.
Valencia's sequence of results has piled pressure on Djukic, with rumours of unrest among the Valencia squad.
The Serbian faced Laudrup throughout their respective playing careers, and was involved with gifting the Dane's Barcelona side the 1994 Primera Division title.
Deportivo La Coruna necessary to match Barcelona's result against Sevilla as a way to secure their first leage crown. Barca claimed an easy win, meaning Depor needed to locate a winner his or her home game against Valencia remained goalless. These folks were awarded a penalty in the dying moments, it turned out Djukic who increased to take it, and the man could only produce a feeble spot-kick that is easily saved.
But Laudrup, that is without former Valencia winger Pablo Hernandez (hamstring) and also the suspended Leon Britton, knows his former rival's current predicament is going to be why you have him most concern, as opposed to recollections of his penalty miss.
Valencia boss Djukic won't adopt a cautious approach, and insists he's got the backing in the dressing room.
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