Danny Murphy does not think Fulham have anything to fear in the Europa League.
Skipper believes final would be 'one of the greatest achievements'
Fulham captain Danny Murphy does not think that he and his team-mates have anything to fear ahead of their Europa League semi-final second leg against Hamburg.
The Cottagers have enjoyed a memorable campaign on the continent and have eliminated holders Shakhtar Donetsk, Italian giants Juventus and last season's German champions Wolfsburg.
Fulham hold a slender advantage ahead of Thursday's return meeting with Hamburg at Craven Cottage after a 0-0 draw in Germany last week and Murphy, a Uefa Cup winner with Liverpool, is in a confident mood.
"Sometimes it is easier to judge the achievements of a club after the event, so maybe when the season is over we will look back and see how well we have done, but the players are becoming a lot more aware that this is a special adventure," the 33-year-old said.
"Of course what would make it even more special would be getting to the final, which we know is going to be difficult.
"But to overcome the challenges we have faced in terms of the quality of the teams we have faced, injuries, suspensions, it is hard to put into words what we have achieved.
Expectation
"Certainly it has been a wonderful effort so far and it is not over.
"We are playing at Craven Cottage where we have beaten some of the best teams in Europe, so we have got nothing to fear."
Murphy added: "It has been especially pleasing because the squad has been utilised well and everyone has had a taste of it.
"We have been to some fantastic places, starting in July in Vetra on a kind of non-league ground, to places like Shakhtar and Hamburg."
Murphy accepts what Fulham have achieved this season is different to the expectations faced by his former club Liverpool, who are also bidding to reach the Europa League final ahead of their semi-final second leg against Atletico Madrid.
"With Liverpool, the expectation is always there, which we have seen for many years and even this year," said Murphy.
"We are talking about reaching a final which would be one of the greatest achievements of our history, whereas at Liverpool they are talking about reaching the same final as a consolation. That puts it into perspective a little bit."
