Europa League: Tough times ahead for Hughes Pic: ©SNS Group
Hibernian travel to Slovenia tonight in the first leg of the third qualifying round against Maribor. While manager John Hughes believes his side have the style to emerge victorious in the Europa League clash, his opponents have already won the battle in the confidence stakes.
Hughes has tried to instil a passing, attacking game to his Easter Road side since taking the helm last summer and believes that is the key to winning on European soil.
"I think our game suits European football," said the former Hibs captain. "I might be wrong and end up with egg on my face. But our style of play pass and move, slow and good ball retention - I think it might suit Europe.
"But whatever happens, if their good players play better than mine, then we're in for a hard night.
Hughes has done his homework on his opponents and knows he is up against a good side which could cause problems for his players.
"Brian Rice went over to watch them, the dossier is vast. But I don't want to give them too much and frighten them,” he explained. "I have great belief that if my players play to their potential then we can get a right good result."
Maribor have won their opening two league games and beat Hungarians Videoton 3-1 on aggregate in the previous round. Those results have given the Slovenians a lot to boast about and plenty of confidence to take into the match, something that hasn’t gone unnoticed from Hughes.
"I saw a quote from one of their coaches saying most of their players are good enough for the English Premier and some English Premier players are not good enough to get a game for Maribor,” he said. "If that's true, we're in for a right hard night.
"They have two really good wingers, the skipper comes off, the centre-forward can slot people in, the boy over the top scores goals, and they have two right hard-working midfielders who can also play.
"We are up against it but the work we've done has all been geared towards this game."
