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Europa League: Your Running Commentary

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By AVI CREDITOR

Fulham's whirlwind of a journey through the Europa League competition continues Thursday afternoon, as the Cottagers face Hamburg SV in the first leg of their semifinal tie (3:05 p.m. EST, GOLTV, DirecTV 465).

Clint Dempsey is expected to be included in Roy Hodgson's squad for the match, and he'll be an essential factor for Fulham if it is to continue its magical run through the tournament.

In the other semifinal, Atletico Madrid hosts Liverpool (3:05 p.m., DirecTV 462). The Reds will catch a break, as Atletico's star striker Sergio Aguero is suspended for the match. Liverpool, however, will be without the injured Fernando Torres, among others. 

If you will be watching either or both of these matches, please feel free to share thoughts, opinions and play-by-play in the comments section below.

Comments

  1. Roy wanted to take him out and not risk him getting another yellow played. If he got a yellow he would have missed the return trip to the Cottage next week. Roy just ensured that he would be playing next week.

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  2. I don’t think Zamora was injured? I heard he wasn’t completely match fit anyways? He certainly didn’t limp off or anything.

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  3. VERY good result for Fulham, considering the travel. Give it a week. Throw Dempsey, Gera and Zamora at ’em, and I think there’s a final in Fulham’s future.

    COYW!!

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  4. Deuce is playing up top. With the recent unfortunate news regarding CD9, it’s good to see Clint getting minutes at forward.

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  5. Hamburg is a top flight club. They made it to the semis of this tournament last season. Van Nistelrooy may be swayed to come the MLS but probably not right not as he has been scoring goals for fun since his move to Hamburg from Real Madrid.

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  6. Two things: I was wondering where Van Nistelrooy was. Is Hamburg a top-flight Bundesliga club? Could he be persuaded to play MLS?
    Second: Is it me or is Tommy Smythe totally hammered?

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  7. Agreed. Plus for all us US fan expect these tactics against England come June. I personally enjoy watching it. Keeping good defensive shape (especially in a 4-4-2) is harder than it looks.

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  8. regardless of lack of goals, they are now only a half away from escaping to the home leg without a goal deficit. let’s hope for an away goal in the second half from Clint.

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  9. Decent first half for Fulham. Hodgeson is correct to keep it tight. Dempsey could add the creativity needed on the counter for Fulham to get a result.

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  10. As long as Fulham is going to show a complete disinterest in scoring goals, I’m happy for Deuce to get some more rest today.

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  11. @Jon, hahaha.

    I worked at a library when I was 16-18 as a library Page. Fun job until it slightly drove me crazy. what do you do?

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  12. I wish there was an app that would notify you when Our players got off the bench….. so that I could keep actually working in the library until Dempsey comes in

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  13. @Bob is right. Dempsey will probably get off the bench but 20 mins today would be best. He has to nurse his injury. We need him 100% but of course he’ll play through injury especially since the Europa League Trophy is so close but the WC should matter more.

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  14. Dempsey was rushed back a couple months ago and we saw what happened, he got injured again. As a Fulham and USA fan I hope Dempsey doesn’t play today or if he does, only goes in for the last ten minutes and scores

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  15. COYW!

    I know Dempsey has been battling injury, but at what point do we start becoming concerned that he isn’t getting enough playing time from the perspective of fans of the national team? I’m not worried yet, just wondering if anyone has opinions.

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  16. Yes…go Fulham go!

    Dumb Question perhaps…If you win the Europa League are you automatically placed in some phase of the Champions League the following year?

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