Marlon King insists Birmingham have nothing to fear from the Europa League following Thursday night's spirited defeat to last season's finalists SC Braga.
King, making his full debut, put Blues back in with a chance of taking something from a keenly-contested encounter when he tapped home to make it 2-1 with 20 minutes remaining, coming after Helder Barbosa and Lima had put the Portuguese visitors in the driving seat.
But Barbosa wrapped matters up on the counter two minutes from time to inflict a 3-1 defeat and ensure Group H favourites Braga got off to a winning start as they look to repeat last season's run to the final, where they lost 1-0 to Porto.
"I've got mixed feelings because I didn't think Braga were three goals better than us. It was due to our own downfall with some of the goals if we look back, they were sloppy goals. But we can't be too down about it because we've got another tough game on Sunday (against Southampton)," King said.
"We had chances and you've got to take confidence from that, it wasn't a one-sided game.
"They didn't come here and outplay us, we know the quality they have but, as I said, we played a big part in their goals."
He added: "We've got nothing to fear. This is the stage we want to be on, everybody's saying there's a lot of games but as a footballer you want to test yourself against teams who have played in the Champions League and the top leagues.
"All the boys are enjoying it. To be disappointed about defeat to a side like Braga shows just how far we are coming as a team."