SOCCER/EUROPA LEAGUE FINAL/Fulham v Atletico Madrid:DANNY MURPHY believes Fulham will have the whole of the British nation behind them when they face Atletico Madrid in the Europa League final tonight. The Fulham captain's claim was backed up by John Terry, the Chelsea captain, who said he hoped their west London rivals would triumph at Hamburg's Nordbank Arena.
“I think the support we’ve received, or I’ve been getting – phone calls, meeting people in the street – has just been amazing, phenomenal really,” Murphy said. “It’s kind of everybody’s second favourite club at the moment because of maybe our spirit, our unusual position this season, that we’ve overcome the odds and beaten so many good teams.
“I think people enjoy watching us – the spirit and also the way we play. I think supporters appreciate good football and over the course of the competition we’ve certainly tried to play the right way. It’s nice to have the encouragement because it gives you the extra incentive to take the trophy home.”
Asked who had sent good luck messages Murphy said: “The usual friends, they’ve all been wishing me all the best. I think all the other lads are the same. We’ve all been surprised and overwhelmed really, with all the support we’ve had.”
Terry, who played with Fulham’s leading scorer, Bobby Zamora, and Paul Konchesky, the left back, in the same youth team, Senrab, said: “I wish the Fulham guys a lot of good luck because they have done brilliantly this season, probably unexpected from everyone, but I wish them well.
“I wish Fulham, Paul Konchesky and Bobby Zamora good luck in the final. I know Bobby has been struggling with his achilles but I wish him well. He texted me after we won the title and I would be delighted for him if Fulham went on to win the Europa League.”
Zamora, who has scored 19 goals this season, watched the squad’s final training session, which was held at the Nordbank Arena, although Damien Duff had recovered enough from a leg injury to take part.
Hodgson said: “They trained yesterday and that was very, very positive and, of course, I hope and we’ll have to see if there’s any reaction. I’ve been given no indication there’s going to be any reaction so hopefully they’ll be able to play.”
Hodgson, who was head coach of Internazionale in 1997 when they lost to Schalke 04 on penalties in the Uefa Cup final, said of his side’s prospects of defeating Atletico: “You work hard to get to a final. You play some very, very important games along the way, then the big day arrives when it’s down to two teams: it’s either you or your opponent.
“You know one of you is going to go smiling and one’s going to leave the field with tears in their eyes. That’s the nature of things. I think all the people out there know how we’re going to feel: if we win or if we lose.”
Atletico should present a formidable challenge. They are also in the final of the Copa Del Rey, Spain’s major domestic cup competition, and are ninth in La Liga, following a difficult start which led to Quique Sanchez Flores replacing the sacked Abel Resino in October.
Diego Forlan, whose extra-time goal at Anfield knocked Liverpool out in the semi-finals and who has won two European golden boots, should pose Madrid’s major attacking threat. “To score at Liverpool was nice because I am a United fan,” the former Manchester United striker said. “But if I score against Fulham it will mean even more. We intend to win and become champions.”
Atletico, who won the Uefa Cup in 1962, start as clear favourites but Forlan insists Fulham will not be taken lightly.
“It will be a tough game because we have quite an opponent. I like football and I watch a lot of English football,” he said. “Fulham are excellent athletes and good players. They have beaten great teams and won difficult matches so it will be a tough game.
“The people who like Fulham like to watch good football. They are doing really well.
“The Fulham team play very good football. They like to play the ball. They are different from most other teams. Nobody knows what will happen. It’s difficult to predict. We know it’s going to be a difficult game. We are a great team with a great history and we intend to play a great final.”
