Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Don’t talk to me about the Europa League!
KLAASSEN DOESN’T WANT TO THINK ABOUT ROONEY BEATING HIM LAST SEASON
DAVY KLAASSEN admits he still feels the pain from losing the Europa League Final to Everton pal Wayne Rooney.
The Holland star teams up with Rooney tonight to launch the Blues’ campaign on the continent – but refuses to talk to the Scouser about their head-to-head last season.
Klaassen, then of Ajax, was devastated at losing 2-0 to Manchester United back in May, when Rooney came on as a late sub, but says he needs no extra motivation to go for a winners’ medal this time.
As boss Ronald Koeman demanded more “aggression” in Everton’s play following back-to-back Premier League defeats, the attacking midfielder said he aims to make this season end with a trophy.
Klaassen, 24, said: “I don’t want to talk about the final with Wayne at all.
“I still feel the pain. It was not good.
“True, I came so close to winning it last season, but I don’t need to lose in a final to be hungry for this campaign.
“We want to reach as far as possible. We all start at zero and we have to start with a win, get confidence and space.”
Everton have had a tough start to the season, losing to Chelsea and Tottenham, and have yet to click into top gear.
Klaassen, too, has endured a difficult baptism following his £24million transfer and said: “It is different speed, different intentions. That is what I wanted, I wanted something else, and it is something bigger.
“Our last result was not good but we try to pick it up now.
“Playing in Europe helps every player. We face different cultures and playing styles. The league results have not been good but I like the life and the club and my team-mates.
“I am enjoying it. I need to improve, everyone needs to improve and we will be there.”
Koeman confirmed Rooney will start and demanded a “reaction” to Everton’s 3-0 weekend humiliation by Spurs.
He said: “Rooney is a great player and he has shown it from the start of the season.
“I need to talk to the players about the team first, but he is part of the team. He travelled and he is looking forward to the competition.
“He won this title last season with Manchester United, they had a great season in the Europa League.
“At the weekend we lost belief and confidence, didn’t play with the right aggression.
“If at home after half-time you are killed out of the game by a third goal it is not what we expect from ourselves.
“If you lose the game, you get another opportunity to put it right. So I am confident.”
Everton face Atalanta 120 miles from the Italian club’s Bergamo home ground which is being refurbished.
The neutral venue in Reggio Emilia may help against last season’s fourth-placed Serie A finishers.
Koeman added: “I am the manager and I take this competition really seriously.
“We were out for many years but now we are back. Let’s hope the journey takes us a long way in Europe. But we have to fight for it.”