Moyes Boosts West Ham’s Odds in Leverkusen Clash
West Ham United suffered a defeat in the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final against Bayer Leverkusen, but manager David Moyes remains optimistic about their chances in the return leg. Despite two late goals from Leverkusen, Moyes believes that his team is still in the tie and has a chance to turn things around.
Late Goals Seal Victory for Leverkusen
Leverkusen dominated possession throughout the match but struggled to break through West Ham’s strong defense. However, Jonas Hofmann managed to find a way past goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski in the 83rd minute, firing through a crowd of bodies after the visitors failed to clear a corner. In injury time, Victor Boniface doubled Leverkusen’s lead with a well-directed header from Hofmann’s cross.
Moyes’ Strategy and West Ham’s Performance
David Moyes had a clear strategy for the match, opting for a deep defensive approach and looking for opportunities to counter-attack. West Ham executed this plan effectively for much of the game, frustrating Leverkusen and limiting their chances. Moyes praised his players for their discipline and structure but acknowledged that they were up against a strong Champions League side.
Hammers Face Uphill Battle in Second Leg
Despite the defeat, Moyes remains hopeful for the second leg. He emphasized the need for an exceptional performance to overcome Leverkusen’s quality. West Ham will have to overturn the German side’s unbeaten run of 42 matches, which will be no easy task. However, Moyes highlighted the importance of scoring the first goal at London Stadium and expressed confidence that belief will return to his side if they can achieve this.
Leverkusen’s Late Goals and Confidence
Leverkusen have developed a reputation for scoring late goals this season, and their performance against West Ham was no exception. While they were made to wait by a resilient Hammers side, Leverkusen remained calm and continued their relentless attacks. Midfielder Granit Xhaka highlighted the difficulty of finding space against deep-defending teams but expressed confidence in his side’s ability to score at any moment.
Next Steps for West Ham
To have a chance of advancing to the semi-finals, West Ham will need to put in a remarkable performance in the second leg. Moyes will be looking to Michail Antonio’s threat and the return of Jarrod Bowen from injury as potential boosts for his team. However, they will have to cope without Emerson Palmieri and Lucas Paqueta, who are both suspended due to yellow cards.
Conclusion
West Ham United may have suffered a defeat in the first leg against Bayer Leverkusen, but manager David Moyes remains optimistic about their chances. Despite two late goals from Leverkusen, Moyes believes that his team is still in the tie and has a chance to turn things around in the second leg. The Hammers will need to put in an exceptional performance to overcome Leverkusen’s quality and unbeaten run. However, with the return leg taking place at London Stadium, West Ham will have the home advantage and the support of their fans. It remains to be seen if they can rise to the challenge and secure a place in the semi-finals of the Europa League.