While few may give West Ham United much of a chance against Bayer Leverkusen in the UEFA Europa League quarter-finals – the Bundesliga champions-elect are unbeaten in 41 games across all competitions after all – you won’t find Xabi Alonso playing down the threat of David Moyes’ side.
Even with Jarrod Bowen unavailable – Moyes confirmed that he will be missing for the first leg at least with a back issue – Alonso insists that this is still a West Ham side with quality across the board.
The London giants have two of the most gifted playmakers on the continent; one who was a big-money target for Manchester City last year, and another who may have the Europa League’s Goal of the Tournament award sewn up already.
West Ham also have a striker and a midfielder capable of giving even Leverkusen’s powerhouse centre-half Jonathan Tah a few bruises, as well as a defensive duo capable of stepping up against top opposition, even if their form has left a lot to be desired in recent times.
West Ham face Bayer Leverkusen tonight
“All their players are experienced. Bowen might be injured tomorrow (but Lucas) Paqueta is a great player,” says Alonso, who recently turned down the chance to replace Jurgen Klopp at his former employers Liverpool.
“(Tomas) Soucek, (Michail) Antonio, (Mohammed) Kudus, there are a lot of players that we know. (Konstantinos) Mavropanos, (Kurt) Zouma, they are all physically very strong players. Good on the ball.”
West Ham also still have the crux of the squad which claimed the Europa Conference league title nearly 12 months ago, even if the man who lifted that trophy – captain Declan Rice – is much missed amongst the claret-and-blue fanbase.
“They won the Europa Conference League last season,” Alonso adds. “So they have experience in Europe. They know how to play well.
“They can be patient, they can be defensive. We are aware of all of that, and we want to control the match.”
Xabi Alonso vs David Moyes
West Ham will kick off at the Bay Arena tonight at 8pm before hosting Leverkusen next Thursday. By the time Alonso’s side arrive in the English capital, they may have been officially confirmed as the champions of Germany, having moved 16 points clear of an imploding Bayern Munich last time out.
Bowen will be missed, but perhaps the greatest concern to Moyes will be the absence of Edson Alvarez. The Mexican enforcer may have been West Ham’s best hope of keeping the outstanding Florian Wirtz quiet.
“Jarrod’s not with us,” Moyes tells The Standard. “He’s got an injury and he’s not available to play tomorrow night. We’re not sure (on a timeframe) and I probably wouldn’t be giving any dates of when we’ll get him back. I couldn’t give that at the moment.”
“We think that when he got the knee, he’s twisted and damaged a bit of something. We think that’s where the damage has come.”
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