Hamburg: Fulham's players are embracing the tag of underdogs one last time this season in preparation for Wednesday's Europa League final against Atletico Madrid, the biggest event in the west London club's 131-year history.
Fulham's only previous appearance in a final ended in defeat in the 1975 FA Cup but the Cottagers have overcome Juventus, Hamburg and trophy holder Shakhtar Donetsk to stand on the verge of a triumph that even the players didn't think possible when they entered the tournament back in July.
Fulham finished in an all-time high seventh place in the Premier League last year to qualify for just its second ever European campaign but, with memories of 2008's brush with relegation still fresh, a squad entirely devoid of star names was more focused on clinching a respectable league position than dreaming of silverware.
At least until a 4-1 win over former European champion Juventus in March.
"When we started out, we didn't even think about reaching the final," Fulham defender Brede Hangeland said. "It was almost a distraction from the league. But the closer you get, the more you think about it and I think when we beat Juventus we started thinking 'Why not go all the way?'"
That round-of-16 victory was exactly the sort to give a team confidence, completing one of the most remarkable turnarounds in recent European history.
Fulham lost the first leg 3-1 and was 1-0 down in the second minute of the second but stormed back and clinched progress with a late, spectacular goal by U.S. forward Clint Dempsey.
But Atletico is nonetheless a daunting opponent, with nine Spanish league titles and a UEFA Cup — the predecessor of the Europa League — in its trophy cabinet.
"We've been underdogs in every round so we're definitely underdogs in this game," Fulham midfielder Jonathan Greening said. "You look at Madrid's team and, on paper, everyone would say they should beat us.
"But we've surprised a few teams this year and hopefully we can do it again on Wednesday."
While Atletico ousted Liverpool from the semifinals and has an attack including Uruguay striker Diego Forlan and lauded Argentina forward Sergio Aguero, Fulham is heavily reliant upon Bobby Zamora — a forward who has yet to play internationally and until this season had never scored more than 13 goals in a season with a topflight club.
But Zamora is among the players whose careers have been turned around by manager Roy Hodgson. His touch, strength and hugely improved positioning have brought him eight Premier League goals and another eight in the Europa League.
Zamora is struggling with an Achilles problem but is likely to play at least some part Wednesday unless he is in extreme pain.
"He's massively important for us," Greening said. "He's been great all year and he bangs goals in for us. Fingers crossed he'll declare himself fit before the game because we need him.
"If it was me, I'd be wanting to play even if it was a broken leg, so he's desperate to get out there."
Hodgson had suggested that UEFA may consider postponing the final if the ash cloud from the still-erupting Icelandic volcano continued to disrupt airports across Europe.
Fulham had to travel to Hamburg by road and ferry last month for its semifinal against the German team.
A postponement would have given Zamora and winger Damien Duff more time to recover from injury, but flights into northern Germany were operating normally Monday morning and Atletico brought forward its trip by 24 hours to Monday to avoid potential delays.
Hungary international Zoltan Gera is likely to play as a withdrawn striker behind Zamora, with Duff sure to start on the left wing if he is fit.
United States forward Clint Dempsey, who scored the crucial fourth goal against Juventus, is among those less certain of his place in the team.
"They're a good team and they have players who can score goals," Dempsey said. "You know it's going to be a difficult game, but we're a good team defensively at staying tight and frustrating our opponents and we have players who can score goals."
Despite its pedigree and place in the final, Atletico has won just two of 14 European matches this season. It was eliminated from the Champions League group stage and advanced from the past three rounds only on away goals.
The Spanish team also has its own injury problems.
Goalkeeper Sergio Asenjo out because of a knee injury sustained during Saturday's 1-1 league draw against Racing Santander.
Asenjo, who has been backup to David de Gea for much of the season, is set to have knee surgery Tuesday on the damaged ligament and will almost certainly also miss the Copa del Rey final against Sevilla on May 19.
"I will have to be very careful to stay on my game," De Gea said. "In addition, Zamora is a great player and I'll have to be aware of him."
Comments
0 comment