Everton lost 1-0 to BATE Borisov seven years ago in the Europa League.
Atalanta players celebrate
Everton take on Atalanta this evening in a Europa League clash which holds little, to no significance to the home side. The Toffees are already out of the competition and this could be a chance for David Unsworth to hand some first-team experience to fringe and youth players.
Everton have been in a similar position before, albeit in more advantageous circumstances. In 2010 Everton were already through to the next round of the Europa League when BATE Borisov headed to Merseyside. With that in mind David Moyes named the likes of Jake Bidwell, Adam Forshaw and Jose Baxter in his Everton starting line-up.
Shane Duffy of Everton battles Vitali Radzionau and Maksim Bordachov of BATE Borisov
Everton also played two players in that game they will wish they had right now. Shane Duffy started the game, whilst Shkodran Mustafi came on, as Everton’s youthful side lost 1-0.
Shkodran Mustafi of Everton
Everton are dreadful at the back at present. Duffy meanwhile is excelling at Brighton whilst Mustafi had one of the best games he has had so far in an Arsenal shirt at the weekend, and also won a World Cup in 2014.
The Toffees can add plenty of their young players to the ‘B’ list for the Europa League and it might be a good idea to do so. Perhaps there will be some future stars in the side, hopefully ones that hang around at Everton in the long-term.
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