Following a scintillating showing in Manchester on Saturday, Saša Lukić reflected on a performance to be proud of on one of the toughest stages of them all, as well as looking ahead to a battle with Brighton next up.
It was a fantastic team performance on Saturday – how proud are you of what the team did in Manchester?
Yes, we played a really big match and I’m proud of the whole team, the staff and all those who follow Fulham. It was an important victory for us which gives us a big lift for matches coming up. I'm really proud because it was a deserved win, and we need to carry on in this way.
You had an excellent game in midfield – were you pleased with your contributions?
I’m happy with my performance but above all I’m delighted for the performance of the whole team, which is more important. We put in everything to try to win this game, we believed from the first minute and even before the match when we spoke about it. Throughout the 97-plus minutes we performed at a high level and I’m happy to have played my part in being able to help the team because it was a big occasion for me and I needed to listen and take on board instructions, and I’m happy because we achieved the win.
Working with Harrison Reed, you were very effective at putting pressure on the United players and winning possession to start counter attacks – was that a big part of the gameplan?
With Harrison and Andreas in the midfield, and all the players, it’s important for the team to feel good and apply pressure to our opponent and win the first and second balls and turnover possession and start our attacks. We all played well, and it was key that in midfield we contributed in the right way.
Having been unlucky against Manchester United the last two years, it must have been very satisfying to beat them, and deservedly so, too?
I agree, since I’ve been here we have played good matches against Manchester United, five or six times, and we were always close to winning. It was frustrating that we weren’t able to win the previous matches, and last Saturday we put everything in place to win and it was deserved. Fulham hadn’t won at Old Trafford since 2003, so that was a big victory for the whole Club and our fans. This is the path we need to continue.
How much confidence does that win give the team going into the final stretch of the season?
Of course, when you win against a big side, especially an in-form side in 2024, and to win at their place gives us a big boost to finish the campaign in as high a position in the table as possible. We need to continue our hard work and keep taking points.
Brighton up next – what have you made of them this season?
Brighton is a strong team. They have a Head Coach that likes to play attractive football and the team always looks to play good attacking football. They perhaps aren’t doing as well recently as they would have liked, but they are always dangerous, and we need to be ready to play like we did last Saturday against United. We need to concentrate on ourselves and I’m always focused on doing my job. If we do our jobs well the performances and results will look after themselves.
I’m sure you enjoyed getting a start at the weekend – must be looking forward to hopefully getting another one in front of the home fans on Saturday?
It’s always a great feeling to play in front of our fans at the Cottage. I can’t wait and I hope we can get the win for ourselves and for our supporters.
Craven Cottage will be sold out this weekend – how much do you enjoy playing in those kinds of environments?
I like playing in matches where the atmosphere is electric, and the stadium is full. Our fans always push us forward, even in the tough moments in the match, they encourage us and motivate us to play in our way.
