Fulham boss Slaviša Jokanović spoke to the press ahead of the clubs Premier League fixture against Manchester City on Saturday and in doing so said his team was relishing the chance to test themselves against the best.
Fulham earned the right to play against England’s elite by beating Aston Villa in last seasons Championship play-off final. And with four Premier League fixtures under their belt (one win, a draw and two defeats) the Cottagers and their fans find themselves licking their lips in anticipation of the 3 pm Etihad Stadium kick-off.
.@Jokanovic says Fulham are relishing the chance to test themselves against the best the @premierleague has to offer ????
????: https://t.co/Lm6k0ILzYW #COYW pic.twitter.com/FPTiYo5iXF
— Fulham Football Club (@FulhamFC) September 13, 2018
It’s been four and a half years since City hosted Fulham, Saturday 22 March 2014 to be precise. On that EPL occasion, the visitors left Manchester with their tail between their legs after Yaya’s hat-trick, and goals from Fernandinho and Martin Demichelis proved City were a class apart.
.@Jokanovic: "Man City are an important football team. They have a great history and are making big steps to be competitive in all competitions. They are always available for the fight." #MCIFUL
— Fulham Football Club (@FulhamFC) September 13, 2018
This time around Jokanović is eager to test his tactical wits against Pep Guardiola, a coach who he’s admired for years.
Slaviša Jokanović – “We know how they play the football, we know it’s not easy to play at the Etihad,” the Fulham official website reported.
“From another side, we interpret it as an exciting game. We’re not giving up before kick-off or anything like that. We interpret it as a great chance for us.
“We were fighting for this kind of chance, and we must be ready for the fight, we must be ready for everything we’re going to find there.
“We must be ready to work off the ball; we must show humility and solidarity, and try and be at our highest level to have the opportunity to hurt them.”
Pep Guardiola’s pre-match press conference will be broadcast live later today via the official MCFC Facebook page.
Home and away tickets are still available.
Support the Whites at @ManCity ????
Tickets still available over the phone: 0203 871 0810 (Opt 3) #FollowFulhamAway pic.twitter.com/DsqUXTO2iK
— Fulham Football Club (@FulhamFC) September 13, 2018
Are you going?