Europa League 2014: Swansea's De Guzman relishing Napoli test

Swansea midfielder Jonathan de Guzman

Midfielder Jonathan de Guzman says Swansea are relishing "a proper European night" against Napoli in the Europa League.

Swansea face the Italian side in the opening leg of their last 32 stage tie on Thursday at the Liberty Stadium.

Managed by former Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez, Napoli are currently third in Serie A and de Guzman expects a test.

"Napoli is a very big game for us, it's a new step for us as a group and for the club," said de Guzman.

"They are doing very well in their season and are a very strong side. It will be a great match to play in.

"I think it will be a proper European night. I'm looking forward to it, the teams is looking forward to it and it will be a great game to be involved in."

Swansea have played 10 matches in this season's Europa League to get to this stage of the competition, which included a famous 3-0 away win against Spanish side Valencia.

Napoli narrowly missed out on the chance of qualifying for the Champions League knock out stages on goal difference.

They host the Swans for the return leg at the Stadio San Paolo on 27 February.

The Italians have won their last three matches, scoring eight goals and conceding just one.

Despite their good form de Guzman believes Swansea have a chance of going through to the last 16.

"We are home first and if we can get a good result at home, hopefully we can get a result out there," he said.

De Guzman, who scored his third goal of the season in Swansea's 3-1 FA Cup defeat at Everton, knows all about the quality of the side they will face.

"They are very strong up front," said de Guzman.

"I played against one of their players, Dries Mertens, when I was in Holland.

"He has good quality as does Gonzalo Higuain and [Jose] Callejon, and their midfield is very strong as well.

"I played against Higuain when I was at Villarreal and he has a real nose for goal.

"It's hard to watch lots of their games - I tend to watch the Spanish league.

"But I saw that in the Coppa Italia they lost the first leg to Roma and then came back very strong at home, and they have been showing that week in, week out.

"Given their home performances we need to come away with a result when we are at home. We are confident of that."