Danny Murphy

The biggest game of my life

Wed May 12 07:53AM

I have played domestic and European finals for Liverpool, I have represented my country and been involved in a relegation dogfight, but tonight's Europa League final is the biggest game of my career.

It is certainly the biggest in the club's history, and I am extremely proud to be leading out the lads in Hamburg. It is a responsibility that I take very seriously and I relish the role of Fulham captain. 

As I have mentioned the fans have been a major driving force behind our success in the Europa League and Premier League. They become our twelfth man, and their vocality is fantastic every time we step onto the pitch. Despite only having a limited ticket allocation, which is obviously a big disappointment for a lot of fans, the fans that are present are sure to make their presence felt which will hopefully give us the momentum we need to see the game through. It has been a great run for us this season in the competition and we are so close now to rewarding the fans with exactly what their support deserves.

It would have been interesting to have played Liverpool in the final, but we prefer the challenge of taking on Atletico Madrid. Liverpool are traditionally very strong in finals and it would have been a real challenge for us to take them on, and also we play Liverpool twice a season in the Premier League. The challenge we face from Atletico is a very different proposition.

Atletico Madrid are a very strong side packed with attacking talent. They have match-winners all over the pitch. The likes of Diego Forlan, Simao and Sergio Aguero will pose a threat and the key is that we don't let them settle into their game plan early. In order to combat their attacking threat, we are going to have to be very tight and compact and then look to hurt them on the break. It was a little disappointing that the Premier League didn't move our last game against Arsenal, but it is understandable that they wanted all the games played at the same time.

Naturally, we take confidence from the fact that we have beaten some very strong sides to get to this stage in the competition, and the final is all to play for! We are confident we can end our season with a Europa League win which will cap a great effort from all our players, staff and fans.

  1. Best wishes Murphy, I'm a LFC fan and at least some ex-LFC boys are showing desire to win things! Well done so far, you can take the cup!!!!!

    wyprb0From wyprb0 on Wed May 12 08:13AM

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  2. Fulham have been amazing in the Europa League this season. All the best for the game, Fulham deserve it. From a United fan.

    sammydaddoFrom sammydaddo on Wed May 12 08:17AM

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  3. Seriously hope you guys win. Best of luck out there!
    From an Arsenal fan.

    ulyssepasquierFrom ulyssepasquier on Wed May 12 08:20AM

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  4. Good luck from another LFC fan.You deserve it.

    aanewallFrom aanewall on Wed May 12 08:24AM

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  5. If he thinks the games so important why does he write so many blogs?

    team_usa_usa_usa1From team_usa_usa_usa1 on Wed May 12 08:27AM

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  6. Too understanding on the Premier league. Your game against Arsenal was hardly that important to necessitate a Sunday game. If played on Saturday the worst that could have happened is that Tottenham would know they could get third if they won, well they always knew they had to win to get third and Arsenal lose. With relegation already settled it didn´t matter if Spurs didn´t try against Burnley. I am very dissapointed in the decision to play the Fulham game on Sunday and I doubt if that was a decision any other countries ruling body would have made. If it had an impact on a major issue then fair enough but it didn´t. Each game to be judged individually but I don´t see any Premier club would have objected. Shame on the FA.(again).

    jayprice1From jayprice1 on Wed May 12 08:34AM

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  7. Go eeee, Murpheee ....

    adrianday101From adrianday101 on Wed May 12 08:34AM

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  8. Wycombe Wanderers fan wishing Fulham good luck, really hope you boys do it tonight. Your run has been what European competition is supposed to be about.

    luke.walkerFrom luke.walker on Wed May 12 08:35AM

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  9. God bless you Fulham, go get that cup.

    ma2nezFrom ma2nez on Wed May 12 08:36AM

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  10. Good luck Fulham! ^ _^
    from Man Utd fan

    airieszaFrom airiesza on Wed May 12 08:36AM

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  11. Goodluck!

    pdot_acid85From pdot_acid85 on Wed May 12 08:36AM

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  12. Any true football supporter will be wishing Fulham all the best for tonight from an Arsenal fan

    sandrajplowmanFrom sandrajplowman on Wed May 12 08:51AM

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  13. Good luck tonight boys from a LFC fan. At least Liverpool have an ex LFC legend representing them tonight.

    ebidder1From ebidder1 on Wed May 12 08:55AM

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  14. Good luck Fulham
    from All of England

    leebastonFrom leebaston on Wed May 12 08:57AM

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  15. From #1. Manchester City fan in Nigeria, just do the Epl proud.

    francistonyeFrom francistonye on Wed May 12 08:58AM

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  16. COME ON FULHAM!!!! Woy's boys to bring the cup home

    agentblue_99From agentblue_99 on Wed May 12 08:59AM

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  17. Well done Danny you were excellent at Liverpool and we know you love our club, I believe you will get hammered but i wish you all the best.

    tony_gannonFrom tony_gannon on Wed May 12 09:02AM

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  18. u guys got my support dude...
    i will support ur guys later tonite..
    GO FULHAM!!!!!!

    oranghujan_13From oranghujan_13 on Wed May 12 09:07AM

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  19. best of british luck for tonight, danny and the guys. shame it isnt liverpool you're playing tonight, but at least an english team in the final. will be watching the game. from a LFC supporter

    kara.3From kara.3 on Wed May 12 09:19AM

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  20. Count in my support for fulham

    eduugbamFrom eduugbam on Wed May 12 09:20AM

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  21. Goodluck Fulham... On taking the silver medals!!! :)))))

    petko1979From petko1979 on Wed May 12 09:25AM

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  22. Was sad to see you leave LFC, Danny, would love to see you win the trophy tonigh! Best wishes!

    ian.drakestoneFrom ian.drakestone on Wed May 12 09:26AM

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  23. good luck tonight !
    would be brilliant for west london, to be the capital of cup collection this season
    ;O)

    come on fulham...

    raphael.cyrusFrom raphael.cyrus on Wed May 12 09:26AM

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  24. good luck fulham
    the whole of England wishes you the very best
    from a Leicester fan

    derren.carlisleFrom derren.carlisle on Wed May 12 09:28AM

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  25. All the best Danny. Liverpool fans will be cheering you on tonight.

    andrewyoung63From andrewyoung63 on Wed May 12 09:30AM

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  26. all the best danny, hope you and the boys win it, from Celtic fan in Glasgow

    chrisdoh1983From chrisdoh1983 on Wed May 12 09:40AM

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  27. Southampton fan wishing Fulham all the very best for tonight, England's sole representative in European competition now; we are all behind you!

    geoffkingFrom geoffking on Wed May 12 09:41AM

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  28. IT IS REALLY A GREAT ONE FOR FULHAM TO BE AT THE FINAL AND I WISH THEM A GOOD LUCK TO TAKE THAT CAP TO ENGLAND. I AM SO PROUD FOR THEM TO BE AT THAT STAGE AND THEY WILL IMPROVE FROM GAME TO GAME NEXT SEASON. FROM RICKY NIXSON UGANDA EAST AFRICA

    opigerich1From opigerich1 on Wed May 12 09:43AM

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  29. Come on Atheltico! YAY! Hang on, i mean COME ON FULHAM! No wait! Actually, i dont really care who wins. I just wants LOTS AND LOTS OF GOALS!!!!! WEEEEEEEE!!!!! Yes i am a simpleton.

    willy2flyFrom willy2fly on Wed May 12 09:46AM

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  30. Good luck tonight Fulham,from a Newcastle utd Fan

    kev.robertsonFrom kev.robertson on Wed May 12 09:48AM

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