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Europa League: Roberto Martinez happy Everton start and finish at home

Image: Roberto Martinez: Wants quick start to Europa League group campaign

Roberto Martinez is happy with the way the fixtures have worked out for Everton in their tough Europa League draw.

Friday's ceremony in Nyon saw Martinez's men drawn against French side Lille, Wolfsburg from Germany and Russian outfit FC Krasnodar, the latter meaning one of the longest trips in the competition.

But Martinez was buoyed to see the fixture list his side will face, starting with a home clash against Wolfsburg and finishing at home to Krasnodar - their trip to Russia also comes in early October when weather should be less of an issue.

He told the club's website: "The last game is at home and I'm really, really pleased with that.

Wolfsburg have got a really good side, really experienced players and will be a really good test for us.
Roberto Martinez

"Starting and finishing at home, I think we can use our crowd and Goodison to good effect and to our advantage, because it's a really challenging and testing group.

"Wolfsburg have got a really good side, really experienced players and will be a really good test for us. Lille pushed Porto very hard in their Champions League qualifier. And so you're talking about two teams with real Champions League potential.

"Then, Krasnodar have been the surprising team, if you like, beating Real Sociedad over two legs.

"In the first game (a 1-0 Sociedad win), they were well beaten, but the home leg (a 3-0 Krasnodar win) I think shows it's going to be a really difficult environment to cope with over there.

"So, we'll be heavily challenged but we're excited and looking forward to it starting."

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