Fulham FC

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• Founded:1879
• Manager:Mark Hughes

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Hodgson accepts difficult task

12 Mar 2010 - 08:37:06

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Fulham manager Roy Hodgson accepts that his side will find it difficult to reach the quarter-finals of the Europa League after losing 3-1 to Juventus on Thursday.

The Cottagers conceded three first-half goals in Turin as they slumped to defeat in the first leg of their last-16 encounter.

Nicola Legrottaglie and Jonathan Zebina put Juve in control of the tie and, although Dickson Etuhu pulled a goal back for Hodgson's side, David Trezeguet restored the home side's two-goal advantage just before half-time.

Hodgson admitted after the match: "Well, I'd have had said (we had a good chance) if we'd come in at half time without conceding that third goal and we'd have played the second half as we did, then I'd have thought that our chances (of progressing) would have been very good.

"But now they've worsened because of that third goal, because for us to score two goals at home and not concede is going to be a very difficult task.

"There's no doubt we weren't favourites before tonight's game and we're even less favourites at 1-3 for the second leg but it will be an exciting second leg for us and for our public.

"I've certainly seen stranger things happen in my career so the players, I'm sure, will be looking forward to trying to turn the game around and I am sure that they will be doing their very best to do that."