Redknapp out to win UEFA Europa League

Portsmouth manager, Harry Redknapp, has declared his respect for the quality of the UEFA Europa League tournament ahead of his side’s Group E encounter against FC Braga tonight.

While the UEFA Europa League has numerous detractors in European football, Redknapp believes it is one of the toughest tournaments in the game, and has declared his ambition to put the UEFA Europa League alongside the FA Cup in the Portsmouth trophy cabinet.

“It’s becoming a grueling competition, with a lot of games to cram in, and a tough one to win,” Redknapp told the Times. “You only have to look at the other sides in it. But we’re in it to win it, we don’t want to lose any games.”

True to his word, Redknapp has named his strongest possible team for tonight’s clash against Braga at the Estadio AXA. The Portsmouth boss explained that naming a full strength mid-week squad was a logical consequence of performing well in the Premier League.

“We’ve had a great start in the league and, sure, if we were sitting on two points, you might have to rethink. It’s a question of balancing your priorities, but if you’re going well in the league, it’s not a problem.”