Ronald Koeman is confident Everton’s preparations from the upcoming training camp in Holland will set the Blues up nicely for the Europa League qualifier later in the month.
The Toffees’ potential third round qualifying opponents were revealed on Friday.
A meeting against Ruzomberok or SK Brann awaits Everton at Goodison Park on 27th July with a second leg a week later – whoever the Blues face the boss has told the Official Website it will be tough.
‘We know we will face a tough game whether it is against Ru?omberok or SK Brann.’
However, Koeman feels the time in Tanzania and the meeting with Gor Mahia along with the training camp in his homeland and double header against FC Twente and KRC Genk will be great for ‘preparation for the two legs of our Europa League tie.’
Would it be an overstatement to say Everton ‘need’ European football? It’s certainly important if the Blues are to push on to return to that next level.
In fact Koeman did say it was in needed and he’s certainly approaching these qualifiers with the intention of making it into the competition proper and taking that challenge seriously this season.
Koeman said: ‘Europe is important to us, we need to play in Europe and we will be doing everything we can to reach the group stage of the Europa League to give ourselves that challenge in the coming season.’
Meanwhile, when looking back at his first outing for Everton, which of course saw Wayne Rooney score a stunning goal, the returning forward also had some European thoughts.
He feels the Blues will improve from the victory over Gor Mahia to ensure the Toffees are ready for Europe.
Rooney told EvertonTV, via Sky Sports: ‘There’s things we can do better, but the most important thing is minutes under the belt. We’ll look forward to them and make sure we are right for the qualifier.’
