Bryan Oviedo insists Everton FC can win the Europa League this season.And the Costa Rican believes “a change in mentality” at Goodison Park has helped Roberto Martinez’s side rediscover some form in recent weeks.
The Blues return to European action this week as they travel to Switzerland to take on Young Boys Berne in their last 32 clash. They play the first leg at Stade de Suisse on Thursday, before hosting the return at Goodison next week.
‘We want to win it’
With a Champions League qualification place on offer for the winners of this season’s Europa League, competition is sure to be fierce. Especially with the likes of Inter Milan, Sevilla, Napoli, Villarreal, Ajax, Roma and PSV Eindhoven, as well as Premier League rivals Liverpool and Tottenham, still fighting it out.
Oviedo, though, believes the Toffees are capable of going all the way.
“For me, we want to win the Europa League, and of course finish in the top positions in the Premier League,” he said. “Both are very important for us.
“Of course, that means we will need to be very strong between now and the end of the season. We have to give our maximum.
“But we know what we can do. We have shown that in Europe already this season, against some very good teams.
“We need to be strong in the next game, against Young Boys. It’s going to be a very difficult game. They will play it like a final, and that’s what we need to do, treat it like a final.
“We need to get a good result over there, to bring them back here for the second leg.”
‘Strong mentality is key’
Everton head to Switzerland having won just one of their last 11 games in all competitions. Their form, though, has improved significantly in recent weeks, and Oviedo believes that can be attributed to a more positive mentality.
He said: “Christmas time was a difficult period for the team because we were not playing well – or we were playing well but not getting the results.
“Now, I think we have changed our mentality. In the last few games, we have played very well, much better, but we need to continue to progress.
“Between now and the end of the season, the important thing is that we keep that strong, positive mentality.
“We work very hard with the staff on the defensive aspect, but we cannot relax, we have to keep working and trying to be better.
“We want to be one of the best teams in the Premier League, and I believe that we have the players to do that.”
‘I feel good, I feel fit’
On a personal level, the Costa Rican, who turns 25 on Wednesday, says he is just glad to be back playing again, after the torment of missing so much of the last 12 months recovering from a broken leg.
“Last year was difficult, but it is in the past,” he added. “What is important now is that I continue to progress, and to play as many minutes as I can.
“I feel very good now, I feel fit and happy. I need to continue to play games now, which will help me to progress.
“It was very difficult. I know that I missed out on so many good games, and obviously the World Cup as well.
“Right now, it is very different. I had to change my mentality, and I have had to change it again now I am playing first-team games. The most important thing for me is the here and now.
“At the moment, I am playing, and I need to continue doing that. I need to do my best for the team and hopefully keep my place in the first 11.”
By Neil Jones, Liverpool Echo
