Sporting CP midfielder Morten Hjulmand explained why he left Lecce in the summer and spoke about the team’s desire to play ‘with intensity and aggression’ against Atalanta.
The 24-year-old Dane impressed during his two-and-a-half-year spell in Puglia, attracting the attention of clubs like Juventus, Milan and Roma, but he ultimately moved to Sporting CP in a deal worth around €18m this summer.
Atalanta won their Europa League opener against Polish side Rakow Czestochowa 2-0 last month and are hungry to take a commanding lead in Group D with a victory over Sporting, who beat Sturm Graz in their first game.
Speaking to Sky Sports via TMW, Hjulmand first looked ahead to Sporting’s clash with Atalanta.
“Tomorrow’s match will be difficult for us, we know they are strong.”
He explained why he made the move to Portugal in the summer.
“Because they had a plan for me, and I liked this plan. The last month for me has been great, I feel really good here.”
The Dane was asked if he felt nostalgic for his former club Lecce.
“I still follow the team, their start was perfect and I am happy for them. For me Lecce is a fantastic city, it was great living there, but I also feel really good here in Lisbon.”
He was also asked if his coach asked for any advice about Atalanta.
“I spoke a little with the assistant coach having played Atalanta twice last year, we know they are strong man-to-man. We know that tomorrow’s match will be a difficult one.”
Finally, Hjulmand discussed the kind of football Sporting want to play against Atalanta.
“We are a team that plays fast, with lots of passing. We have a lot of possession, and we want to play a match with intensity and aggression, it will be a perfect match for us.”