Quique looks to tough tests

Quique Alvarez believes that Villarreal have been given a very difficult task after they drew Lazio, Middlesbrough, Partizan Belgrade and Egaleo in the Uefa Cup.

The Yellow Submarines skipper is confident that his side can progress, but admits that it will be tough.

"I have to say that the group is complicated," he said. "Lazio and Partizan are great European teams and Middlesbrough is a team from England and they are always strong.

"Egaleo are unknown to us, but playing against team in Greece is always tough.

"Last season, we played against many good teams in the Uefa Cup, but we still made it through to the semi-finals.

"We just have to be strong at home and use that to plan our route into the next round.

"But playing away from home in any competition is tough and to go to places like Belgrade and Rome is, without doubt, going to be tough."

Last season, Villarreal defeated Trabzonspor, Torpedo Moscow, Galatasaray, Roma and Celtic before going out in the semi-finals to fellow Primera Liga side Valencia.