Mixu Paatelainen: We must stop Svensson to achieve Intertoto success

Jul 6 2008

HIBS gaffer Mixu Paatelainen has pin-pointed Swedish star Anders Svensson as the danger man who could wreck his side's UEFA Cup hopes.

The former Southampton midfielder is now a key player for the Hibees' Intertoto Cup opponents Elfsborg.

Despite appearing for Sweden in all three of their Euro 2008 games against Greece, Spain and Russia, Svensson will be in the starting line-up at Easter Road this afternoon.

Paatelainen is praying his side can get a decent first-leg result to take to Boras on Saturday.

But he knows they'll have to stop 31-year-old Svensson - who spent four years at St Mary's - if they stand any chance of progressing in the pre-season competition.

Mixu, who watched Elfsborg destroy Djurgardens last week, said: "Even though Svensson played at Euro 2008 he'll play against us.

"In fact he has played already for Elfsborg since he came back from Austria and Switzerland.

"He doesn't need a break as he only played four games at the Euros and Elfsborg's season began in March so they're at their peak condition just now.

"Svensson played fantastically well against Djurgardens on Wednesday. He's their playmaker and midfield maestro.

"He does a great job for them and you don't get 86 caps for Sweden if you don't have quality.

"He's their biggest name and we'll have to try to stop him.

"But they also have Stefan Ishizaki who plays up front on the right. He's quick and creates loads of chances. He's their set-piece specialist too."

The Easter Road outfit are way behind the Swedes in terms of fitness with the SPL campaign kicking off on August 9.

Paatelainen is candid when he insists his men aren't ready for this type of match but is adamant they will benefit in the long-run.

He said: "We know we'll have to be on our toes. We could not have got a tougher draw when you look at who we could have faced.

"But we'll learn a lot from this and it gives our young players great experience of playing in Europe.

"It's better to learn from top opposition in competitive games and hopefully we'll go through.

"The Intertoto comes so early here and maybe that's why we don't take it as seriously as the Scandinavians for example.

"It's not a good time to enter a competition and there's every chance we won't do well.

"It's too early and we're not ready - it's as simple as that. We haven't trained enough and haven't played any games.

"But this is perfect preparation for our SPL season, that's the main advantage of us entering it.

"The UEFA Cup is a big carrot after these four matches but we have to be realistic.

"What's more important is that we're ready for Kilmarnock away on the opening day of the season."

Hibs fans will turn out in Leith today expecting a victory but given his side's limited preparation gaffer Paatelainen has asked the punters not to pile the pressure on his troops.

He said: "I'd ask the fans to be patient. I'm sure they realise Elfsborg are no mugs.

"In Europe you're always going to get setbacks and the fans need to be ready for that.

"Hibs have never qualified for the group stages of a European competition but Elfsborg were there last year.

"They've also competed in the Champions League and have plenty of experience in Europe.

"We need our fans and hopefully they can sing us on to victory."

Hibs die-hards will be hoping a few more faces will be added to Paatelainen's squad before the start of the season.

The only arrival so far has been David van Zanten from St Mirren while talisman Guillame Beuzelin left for Coventry City.

But much as Mixu hopes to add to his pool he thinks a settled squad could work in their favour against the Swedes.

He also revealed he plans to flood Easter Road with Scottish talent and will only sign a player from overseas if he's better than what he already has at his disposal.

Mixu said: "We want to strengthen the side but that may go in our favour against Elfsborg. It would be even harder ifwe were trying to bed in lots of new guys.

"The boys know what I expect and that can be to our advantage.

"I would like as many Scots in the squad as possible. It's not my only policy but it can benefit us to have a lot of homegrown talent."