Moyes makes double change in Confirmed XI – West Ham United v AZ Alkmaar
David Moyes has made two changes for tonight’s massive continental clash at the London Stadium between West Ham United and AZ Alkmaar in the Europa Conference League semi-final first-leg.
The line-up has been confirmed as the Hammers strive to go further than last season’s last-four finish in the Europa League when they were eliminated by the eventual winners, Eintracht Frankfurt.
With the club’s Premier League status all but secure, the full focus has to be on this huge opportunity for success in Europe with a strong result essential in order for the job to be finished in the Netherlands next week.
Kurt Zouma is one of two changes for the clash against AZ, replacing Angelo Ogbonna.
The French defender returns for the first time since Crystal Palace last month whilst the other change comes between the posts with Alphonse Areola, a Europa Conference League regular, replacing Lukasz Fabianski with the remainder of the side unchanged from the vital victory over Manchester United on Sunday.
Go for glory
The Dutch side stands in the way of West Ham’s first European final since 1976 and there is no further need for motivation.
After a big stride was taken last week toward Premier League safety, the handbrake should come-off tonight, even though the tie doesn’t need to be decided at the London Stadium.
There is also the confidence gained from the emphatic quarter-final win over Gent, as well as the lingering disappointment from the semi-final exit to Eintracht last season.
On the pitch and in the stands tonight, there will be a determination and a belief that the game is there to be won. If the Hammers kick-on from the progress made in recent weeks, the stage can be set to finish off the job next week.
West Ham are massive, goes the chant and it is time to prove it once again, with a place in the Prague final on the line.