IN terms of intimidation  tactics, they were hardly  the most original. On  arrival at Lisbon, Everton’s  plane was shuttled to the  far reaches of the Aeroporto da  Portela where it remained  marooned until the players and  officials were belatedly bussed to  the terminal.

Once inside came another 45  minutes of tested patience before  the baggage reclaim belt kicked  into life.

Tonight, though, has been the  game Everton’s players and  supporters have been eagerly  awaiting ever since the draw for  the Europa League group stage  was made, an evening to pit their  wits against experienced  European opposition in one of the  Continent’s great stadia.

Indeed, the biggest exodus of  Evertonians since the Cup  Winners’ Cup final in 1985 is  expected to descend upon the  Estadio da Luz. Close to 5,500  tickets have officially been sold by  the Goodison outfit for the fixture,  but many more are believed to  have made the journey to Lisbon  and the 64,500-capacity ground.

And for David Moyes’s side, the  anticipation is no less. “It’s a  special stadium and a very big  football club,” says Leighton  Baines. “This is definitely the  biggest game and biggest occasion  we’ve had in Europe this season,  maybe even during my time here.

“To step out in front of plenty of  travelling fans is going to be a big  moment for us. Everyone has been  eagerly anticipating this game.

“When I arrived at the club it  was a step up for me, and I had  games like this in mind. To be  able to come away to a club like  this with a lot of history, this is  definitely what we are trying to  achieve at Everton.

“We know Benfica are a good up  and coming side. They have a lot  of young players, and we’ll have to  prepare ourselves for each  individual battle.”

Certainly, the obstacles at the  airport are trifling compared to  those Everton must overcome if  they are to extend their 100%  start to the Europa League group  stage.

Missing 10 senior professionals  through injury and ineligibility,  Moyes will field a makeshift  defence against the team with  most European experience in the  tournament, tonight’s match  being Benfica’s 312th in UEFA  club competition.

Baines, though,  points out that Everton have  grown to revel in the face of  adversity.

“We faced similar times last  year,” he says. “We missed a lot of  key players and played a lot of big  games without them and got a lot  of good results.

“It’s not a test that is unfamiliar  to us. It speaks volumes for the  character of the players here.