West Ham United, despite facing a daunting task, is determined to overcome a two-goal deficit and reach the Europa League semi-finals. Inspired by their previous European heroics, they believe they can replicate the magic of the past.
The Hammers face a seemingly insurmountable challenge against a triumphant Bayer Leverkusen. Fresh off their Bundesliga title win and boasting an unbeaten run of 43 matches, Leverkusen appears unstoppable. West Ham lost the first leg 2-0 and must overturn this deficit at home.
In an interview on the West Ham official site, Tomáš Souček acknowledges the difficulty but remains confident. He highlights the transformative power of the London Stadium crowd, referencing the atmosphere during their epic Europa League victory over Sevilla.
Souček emphasised the impact of the fans during their Europa League run last season. He recalls the unforgettable atmosphere against Sevilla, where he scored the opening goal, and credits the fans’ unwavering support for their success.
Souček appreciates the heightened support the team receives during European competitions. He acknowledges that the fans consistently back them, even during challenging moments. This unwavering support proved crucial in their journey to the Europa Conference League title.
The second leg holds additional significance for Czech football fans. All five remaining Czech players in the Europa League and Champions League feature for either West Ham or Leverkusen. Souček and Coufal represent the Hammers, while Kovář, Hložek, and Schick play for Leverkusen.
Souček expects a large Czech audience for the match, with fans divided by their club loyalties. He anticipates strong support for both sides within the Czech Republic.
He finished off his interview by expressing his hope that the passionate West Ham fans will be the ones celebrating come full-time.