Flying Swans look to maintain Euro momentum

02 October 2013 01:01

Swansea City will be looking to build on their stunning win at Valencia when they host Swiss side St Gallen on matchday two of the Europa League group stage at the Liberty Stadium on Thursday.

Swansea thumped Valencia to come away with a 3-0 win from their opening Group A trip to the Mestalla, while the Swiss also won their opener at home to Russian outfit Kuban Krasnodar.

Goalkeeper Michel Vorm believes that Swansea can take heart from their record at home in European competition this season despite injury worries and a 2-1 home defeat to Arsenal in the Premier League at the weekend.

The Welsh outfit could be without captain Ashley Williams with an ankle ligament problem, with right-back Angel Rangel (ankle) and wingers Roland Lamah (toe) and Pablo Hernandez (thigh) also in a race for fitness.

"We have a few injuries which is disappointing, but we have coped quite well and I don't think we feel tired," said Vorm. "If we want to grow as a team and a club we want to play in Europe.

"We have to make sure we are fit to play all those games."

"Ash is very important for us and Angel is also a player with a lot of experience," said Vorm.

"Ash is a leader, of the team, of the group, on the pitch and off the pitch.

"It's hard when he's missing, but he is injured and we have to cope with it."

Vorm believes Swansea's past record at home, with European victories against both Swedish side Malmo and Petrolul Ploiesti of Romania this season, will boost morale.

"We have played some of the big sides, but in he past we have made it a bit more difficult for them at home," added Vorm. "That's something I think we have to do."

Meanwhile, Valencia, the 2004 UEFA Cup winners and two-time Champions League finalists, are desperate for all three points as they travel to Kuban Krasnodar, who lost 2-0 to St Gallen on matchday one.

English side Tottenham Hotspur, who got their campaign off to a winning start with a 3-0 victory over Norwegian outfit Tromso, also travel to Russia when they meet Anzhi Makhachkala in Group K.

FA Cup holders Wigan Athletic, also bidding to win promotion back to the Premier League and impress in Europe, will be looking to get a home win when they host Slovenian club Maribor after drawing 0-0 away to Zulte Waregem in Belgium in their Group D opener.

In other games, Fiorentina of Italy are hoping to follow their 3-0 win over Pacos Ferreira of Portugal when they travel to Group E rivals Dnipro of Ukraine, who also won their opener.

French Cup holders Bordeaux will try to put their chaotic start to the season behind them against Group F rivals Maccabi Tel-Aviv of Israel as Germany's Eintracht Frankfurt go to Croatia to face Rijeka.

"The players have to take responsibility. We're the only ones who can turn the situation around," said Bordeaux midfielder Gregory Sertic as 1996 UEFA Cup runners-up Les Girondins chase a first win in seven in all competitions.

"We have to be warriors on the pitch and bounce back quickly."

PSV Eindhoven, the 1988 European Cup winners, travel to Chornomorets Odessa after a shock 2-0 defeat at home to Ludogorets Razgrad of Bulgaria in Group B, and Dynamo Kiev visit Rapid Vienna afer losing 1-0 at home to Belgian Cup holders Genk in Group G.

Meanwhile, Lazio take on Trabzonspor in Turkey in Group J and Sevilla are at home to Bundesliga outfit Freiburg in Group H.

Source: AFP