DAN PETRESCU reckons Rangers will be facing a team that performed better than Real Madrid against Sevilla when they play Unirea Urziceni.

The Romanian champions travel to Ibrox on October 20 for what should prove a crucial game for both clubs.

They have one point each after two group matches.

Rangers drew away to Stuttgart and Unirea shared the spoils with the German outfit at home. Both lost against Sevilla.

Having watched Sevilla - who inflicted a 4-1 defeat on Walter Smith's side - defeat Real Madrid at the weekend, Petrescu has taken heart from the way his players performed in their opening day group match, when they lost 2-0 to the Spaniards.

He said: "The difference between us and Sevilla was like comparing a Ferrari and a Dacia, which is a car built here in Romania.

"We wanted to attack but there's a big difference between wanting to and being able to do it.

"Having watched Sevilla play Real, I now realise we had no chance.

"However, I believe we did better against Sevilla than Real Madrid."

Petrescu is now setting his sights on Rangers.

With all three clubs outwith Sevilla battling it out for second place which will take them into the knockout stage of the Champions League, and a third-place finish which brings entry into the Europa Cup, the next round of fixtures are massive.

The former Chelsea defender had Rangers watched at the weekend against Celtic and he knows it will be difficult against them.

He said: "Rangers are not as good as Sevilla.

"But our problem will be to adjust to the climate and atmosphere of their fans. I will get a full report from my UK scout and plan the right way."