Steaua Bucuresti vs Villarreal - Escriba to rely on squad depth for Europa progress

Posted Thursday, September 29, 2016 by PA

Villarreal coach Fran Escriba insisted the Europa League remains a major target for his side this season despite his intention to rest players for Thursday's trip to Steaua Bucharest.

Last year's semi-finalists made a fine start in Group L with a 2-1 win over Zurich and will be favoured to see off opponents still smarting from their opening loss to Osmanlispor.

Despite Escriba's stated intention to rotate his squad as he looks to preserve a six-match unbeaten run, he says he is not under-estimating the ability of the Romanian hosts to cause his side problems.

Escriba told Spanish media: "We rate all our players and they have got to come in and seize their chances, not only in training but also in the games.

"For us the Europa League is a possibility. Already we have come close last season. I think we have a balanced squad to choose from and that is why we can leave some important players at home."

Steaua have had a relatively difficult start to their own season despite sitting at the top of the Romanian Liga I following a 3-2 win over Voluntari on Sunday.

Coach Laurentiu Reghecampf admitted his side must stop giving away the goals which cost them in their opening Europa League game and also almost counted against them at the weekend.

Reghecampf told Romanian media: "I don't think we are going through a bad time - we are first in Liga I - but the defence must be more professional because we have conceded goals too easily.

"I want the players to show maturity and not get too excited. Villarreal are the group favourites and are on a very good run in the Spanish league, so it will be a very difficult game.

"But even if we haven't risen to the top level in recent matches, I'm sure we will go into this match in the Europa League with a different ambition."