Atletico have not won a piece of major silverware since clinching the Spanish league and cup double in 1996, but after investing heavily in their team during the last few years, expectations are high of a successful campaign this time around.

The UEFA Cup is one competition they will be hopeful of doing well in, but they will need to negotiate a potentially tricky opponent in the last 32 after being paired against Barclays Premier League side Bolton.

"They were not our preferred rivals and in this sense we don't like the draw against Bolton, but we do not have to be afraid, quite the opposite in fact," Pitarch said.

"We are confident in the strength, in the attitude and in the quality of this squad. If this team does things like they have to do them, they will lose very few games."

Bolton's team could have a few familiar faces in it for the Primera Liga outfit, with Ivan Campo, Mikel Alonso and Nicolas Anelka all having played in Spain.

And it is former Real Madrid striker Anelka who Pitarch has singled out as someone who could be a major threat to his side.

"He always performs exceptionally and is brutally efficient in front of goal," said Pitarch of the Frenchman.

"It has been suggested that he could go to some big team in the Premier League and he is a decisive player. We cannot neglect him."

Atletico president Enrique Cerezo added in Spanish newspaper AS: "We have many hopes placed in this competition. Bolton are a difficult opponent, although at this stage there are no small opponents.

"They play in the Premier League but Atletico have sufficient quality to eliminate them. We are all confident of being in the next round of the UEFA Cup."