Thursday sees the second round of UEFA Cup Group Fixtures, with some tough matches for British clubs.
Resurgent Tottenham host Dinamo Zagreb, from whom they signed Luka Modric in the summer while Manchester City are up against Steve McLaren’s FC Twente and Aston Villa face a tricky trip to the Czech Republic to face Slavia Prague.
Tottenham goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes believes that Saturday’s victory over Liverpool will prove the catalyst for an improvement in his sides fortunes.
“I think the key is belief at the moment. The team is playing with more confidence now and we have picked up three very good results,” said Gomes, whose side sit bottom of Group D.
He added: “We went through a difficult period but worked hard in training to put things right, so now this is a good time for the team.”
Under pressure Man City boss Mark Hughes needs a result against FC Twente after back to back defeats by Middlesborough and Bolton. Hughes admits fit again strikers Benjani and Darius Vassell may feature against the Dutch side.
“They will come into the equation. It is important that they got some game time under their belts, but they impressed and Benji scored into the bargain,” Hughes told www.mcfc.co.uk.
“We have enjoyed the games in Europe. FC Twente are a decent team, who are very well organised and it’s going to be a good test.”
Elsewhere, AC Milan take on Portuguese side Braga, fresh from returning to the top of Serie A with the weekends 1-0 victory over Napoli.
And David Beckham’s future team-mate Clarence Seedorf sent a chilling message to the Portuguese opposition.
“Finally after almost four years of suffering, especially in the last two seasons, we have reached the top spot (in Serie A),” the Dutch star told the club’s website.
“Milan is showing continuity … and what Milan is doing right now is the proof of a great team.”
