The Sporting CP captain previews the Taça da Liga final

Morten Hjulmand previewed the Taça da Liga final against SL Benfica in a press conference before Saturday's game, and recalled the last two finals played by Sporting CP.

“They were balanced finals, but there were some circumstances that made the difference. In the first game against FC Porto [Taça de Portugal] a red card changed things and in the second game [Supertaça] we lost some concentration during the second half. Tomorrow will be different and it will be easy for us to be focused and concentrated during the entire 90 minutes.”

“It is always very important to play and beat a rival. Furthermore, we know that it is a final and that finals are there to be won. For all of us, the club and the team, it is very important to win. We are always dissatisfied when this does not happen," he stated.

The captain said of the opposition: “Honestly, we analyse SL Benfica as a whole and the way they play. We have prepared for the game in the best possible way and just focused on that. Remembering the second half by SL Benfica at Alvalade, they made some tactical changes, mainly in their pressing, and that created some difficulties for us in getting the ball out. Tomorrow I don't know if they will do the same thing, but we have prepared ourselves for everything."

Hjulmand also spoke about the absence of Hidemasa Morita – the latest player to suffer an injury–, saying “that the team will miss him because he is a very important player.”

“We have many games and players who play all 90 minutes after 90 minutes. The same thing happens at other clubs. As players we have to be responsible to be in top shape, because if we are not prepared for this, injuries appear, as the fixture list is so tight. We are seeing a lot of injuries in the rest of Europe and that is not good news.”

The midfielder speaks before the UEFA Europa League playoff

Morten Hjulmand talked to the press before the first leg of the UEFA Europa League play-off for the Round of 16, which takes place in Switzerland against BSC Young Boys.

The midfielder acknowledged that the victory against SC Braga in Liga Portugal at the weekend gave even more morale to the team, but he also assured that this is a feeling that has been around since the beginning of this season.

"The team are very confident at the moment, but it has been like that since I arrived. Sporting CP are a great club and we want to demonstrate this in every game we play, but of course when we score a lot of goals that gives us even more confidence", the Danish international began by saying.

The 24-year-old was then asked whether he sees himself as one of the squad's captains - despite not officially being one -, due to the leadership he has demonstrated on the pitch and off it, but he preferred to highlight the fact that several players on the team have this capacity.

"I feel like myself and I don’t think I need to change that. Still, I see many captains in the group and many players with strong personalities who are ready to lead. It’s something you see on the pitch, but I also feel it in the dressing room and when we travel together".

In closing, Hjulmand refused to reveal whether he will be one of the starters in the game, in what is his first season playing in the UEFA Europa League. "The manager will be able to respond to that question".