Sotirios Papagiannopoulos

Sotirios: We must get a result from Lugano

F.C. Copenhagen defender Sotirios Papagiannopoulos has outlined the squad's determination to get three points from Thursday's UEFA Europa League clash at Lugano.

The Lions top Europa League Group B heading into the game but a win is crucial at this stage of the competition.

FCK will be in their new red away kit on Thursday night and Sotirios is ready for the battle.

“We know that a difficult game awaits us, so every man must be ready from the first whistle," Sotirios said.

"But if we are ready, we can bring a good result back home to Copenhagen. I think we are doing well after the victory over Hobro and we are training well ahead of Thursday's game."

Sotirios is preparing for what is already his 25th match of the season for FCK. And while he has played plenty of times already this term, the 29-year-old thinks the team looks stronger now than at any stage other of the campaign.

"We are in a period when we need everyone in the squad - and therefore it is good to see more and more people starting to show up, so our competition is great," Sotirios added.

"It also gives me confidence that the squad is ready for the match tonight and we obviously believe we will get a good result."

FCK take on Lugano at 21:00 on Thursday, 28 November. The Lions then head back to Copenhagen to prepare for Sunday's derby against Brøndby.