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.

“We do muck in here together abut I don’t want to take away from the quality of the squad as we have some good players here.”

Dan Gosling, who has played at right-back in Everton’s last three Europa League outings, is likely to again figure while Jack Rodwell has appeared in all but one game this season. And Baines reckons the clutch of youngsters who could have a chance of turning out this evening should learn from the example of the two star pupils.

“Dan and Jack were introduced in times when we were down at the bare bones and perhaps brought in earlier than they otherwise would have been,” says the left-back.

“It’s worked out well for them. They did fantastically well for us and have matured into important players for us.

“When you know Jack and what he’s like in training and on and off the pitch, he’s a level-headed lad with a lot of ability, playing in European competition will stand him in good stead for future games. In the future he’s going to be a good player deserving to play at this level.”

Despite enjoying a seven-match unbeaten run, Everton have lost their way in recent weeks with consecutive home draws to Wolverhampton Wanderers and Stoke City.

However, their European form has remained impressive. And having already beaten AEK Athens and BATE Borisov in Group I, Baines says: “It was important for us to get off to a strong start in the group. We’ve got six points on the board so far and have given ourselves a good opportunity to build on that and progress.

“We’re unbeaten in seven but we’ve been disappointed with our least two home games and not being able to take maximum points for them.

“But there’s confidence to be taken from the fact we are hard to beat. We will look to be difficult to beat again and be a bit more forceful going forward.”

Moyes, meanwhile, reckons Everton can demonstrate how they have reaped the benefits of the European experience they have accrued during his tutelage.

“The European games have helped Everton,” says the Goodison manager. “They have helped us improve. The run we had two years ago when we lost to Fiorentina showed our improvement of how we have come in Europe.

“The disappointing thing at the moment is that we don’t have the group of players to fulfil Premier League, European games and cup games as well. But that’s because we are waiting for our injured players to come back.”

Benfica beat both Sunderland and Portsmouth in pre-season and currently stand second in the Portuguese league.

And Moyes is under no illusions about the size of Everton’s task, and adds: “I see a new Benfica, an attacking and exciting Benfica for the fans. They have many South American players that have added lots of flair and, from the games I’ve watched, I’ve been very impressed this season.

“We will have a big support, but we’ve had that for many away games in Europe. We’re really looking forward to the game in a fantastic stadium, we are playing a side with history in Europe.

“We’ve been consistent in the Premier League over the past few years because we refuse to give in, and those qualities can help us again.”

PROBABLE TEAMS

BENFICA (4-4-2): Julio Cesar; Maxi Pereira, Luisao, David Luiz, Cesar Peixoto; Di Maria, Javi Garcia, Aimar, Ramires; Cardozo, Saviola.

EVERTON (4-4-2): Howard; Gosling, Hibbert, Distin, Baines; Cahill, Rodwell, Fellaini, Bilyaletdinov; Saha, Jo.