Sunderland play the second game of their Europa League campaign in Portugal on Thursday night
Régis Le Bris is set to make changes to his Sunderland side on Thursday night but insists that there is no danger of his Sunderland side underestimating SCU Torrreense.
The Black Cats will play their first game in European competition for over 50 years when they face the second-tier Portuguese side in Leiria. Torreense secured their qualification for the Europa League league phase by stunning Sporting Club to win the Portuguese Cup with a 2-1 win in extra time last season, and came very to achieving promotion through the play-offs.
Though they have made a poor start to their league campaign this season, Le Bris says a very narrow defeat to Porto in the Portuguese Super Cup earlier this season demonstrates that they will pose a threat.
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Amari Plastics.
Le Bris said his team had prepared in the same way that they would for a Premier League clash, and says former Portuguese international Jose Fonte has been able to ensure the squad know a tricky test awaits them. Nevertheless, Le Bris conceded that he would have to make changes for what is a very demanding schedule.
"We'll respect this opponent 100%." Le Bris said.
"In out staff we have Jose Fonte, who warned us they are a really good team. They only lost 1-0 to Porto earlier this season, which shows their level. We have to focus on the game in front of us and make sure we are prepared for the challenge.
"They earned the right to be in this position so it's important to play the game. It's also important to manage the schedule and use the depth of the squad.”
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Sunderland face Bournemouth away form home on Sunday before returning to Europa League action away in Poznan next week, but Le Bris says it's exactly the kind of challenge the squad wants.
"This is what we want to experience so it's demanding," Le Bris said.
"I think the depth of the squad is getting better. The more it's challenging the more we'll progress through the season. We need to experience this to get better. This is the situation we want to achieve and we want to get into. Everyone has to stay true to the identity to get better."