Irureta rates Spanish pretenders

By Andy Hall

With RC Deportivo La Coruña eliminated from the UEFA Champions League, coach Javier Irureta has no more European commitments this season, but he is still taking an interest in the performance of Spanish teams in the continental competitions.

Final scorer
A scorer for Athletic Club Bilbao when they lost out to Juventus FC on away goals in the final of the 1976/77 UEFA Cup, Irureta gave uefa.com his assessment of the remaining Primera División sides involved in this week's matches in the UEFA Cup's Round of 32.

FK Austria Wien v Athletic Club Bilbao
Javier Irureta: Athletic are in extraordinary form at the moment. They have a young side that are reaching maturity and I think it will be very difficult to beat them. There is also a feeling of excitement in the city. I was at Bilbao airport today and saw hundreds of fans on their way to Vienna. I don't know much about what Austria have been doing this season but Athletic have impressed me - they have strength, experience and quality. [Francisco] Yeste is a player with great vision and a tremendous left foot and I think that in four to five years' time, players like him and [Carlos] Gurpegui, [Asier] Del Horno and so on will be in their prime.

Valencia CF v FC Steaua Bucuresti
Irureta: Steaua are an important team in European football history but Valencia, at the Mestalla, have to win. Valencia are a very strong side, perhaps the only thing they lack is a good understanding between the fans and the team. They now have [Pablo] Aimar and Mista back in the team and that is important for them.

FC Dynamo Kyiv v Villarreal CF
Irureta: Kyiv are one of the teams that have entered the competition from the Champions League and they are very strong and very experienced. But Villarreal have been playing very well too. They will miss [cup-tied striker] Diego Forlán, who has been hitting a lot of goals for them recently - that is an important loss for them so I see it being a difficult tie.

Panathinaikos FC v Sevilla FC
Irureta: Similar to Villarreal, this a tough match for Sevilla - once again, their opponents were involved in the Champions League this season. Greek teams are hard-working and never stop running. Playing in Greece is difficult and you have to work very hard to come away with a win because the home crowd always get behind their team. Sevilla are a strong side but so are Panathinaikos. In their favour, Sevilla have a well-balanced squad and are playing good football. They have players that have all the major requirements such as aerial power, physical strength, pace, skill with people like Antoñito, [Julio] Baptista and Renato. But as I say, it's going to be very hard for them over there.

Fenerbahçe SK v Real Zaragoza
Irureta: Fenerbahçe are a strong side. Zaragoza have a chance of progressing but they could have difficulties over in Turkey. They are another side that have come into the competition from the Champions League and they will have more confidence but I certainly would not rule out Zaragoza.