Jean Tigana urged his Fulham side to remain focused following their historic UEFA Cup victory over Hajduk Split this evening.
Steed Malbranque’s second half volley stunned the 25,000 home crowd into silence to give the Whites a slender lead handing into the second leg at Loftus Road in a fortnight’s time and Fulham’s French boss wants his team to finish the job.
Tigana told his post-match press conference:
“I’m very happy for the club and the fans. This is a big, very important result – but it’s not finished yet and we have to be calm and win the second leg. When Split lead, they are very strong. But they didn’t, and that was their problem. We were physically very strong in the second half.
It was difficult at the start and after 20 minutes, I was a bit worried. But we began to control the game and played very well. Edwin Van der Sar made a great save in the first-half and we had chances after Steed Malbranque’s goal through Steve Marlet and Facundo Sava.”
He took a moment to reflect on the progress since he took charge in SW6 two years ago.
“We have improved, but not just since last season. I first saw Fulham play more than two years ago – and looking at the side now we have progressed and are a very different team. Many players have progressed technically and physically and the difference now is between 30 and 40% in the players.