He said: "I know a lot about Betis. They are an excellent team and they will make it hard for us to win the game. But that is true of all the teams we have been drawn with, none of them will be easy games.
"We are the European Champions and everyone will want to beat us. We know that and we will be ready to match anyone we face.
"I am quite lucky because my record against Betis for Malaga is good but it is not an easy place to go and play football.
"They are a very good team going forward. In Joaquin they have one of the most dangerous attackers in the whole of Spain. He has lots of speed and is very direct. He provides great service for the other forwards and is one of the players we will have to watch closely.
"They have lots of options in attack but I do think they are vulnerable at the back and I see no reason why we cannot get three vital points and get our campaign off to the best possible start."