Rodrigo: 'There is no curse'

Benfica striker Rodrigo has insisted that the Portuguese outfit are 'not cursed' as they prepare for their Europa League final against Sevilla this evening.

The Portuguese side have lost in each of their last seven European finals, but the 23-year-old is confident of success this time around.

"The idea that we are cursed comes from the press. Nobody in the team is worried – we don't believe in any hoodoo and we're not under pressure. We will approach the game in a calm manner – I'm not nervous at all and it's just another game to me," he told UEFA.com.

"We're happy to be here – any footballer would be delighted to play in a game of this magnitude. Being here having won two titles makes us feel even more secure.

"We're here to win, of course, but tomorrow is just another game. We don't have any advantage, just high levels of confidence. We are used to big games in this competition and the Champions League. We have acquired experience and knowledge from those games that should stand us in good stead tomorrow evening."

Benfica lost in the final to Chelsea last season.