West Ham United star Michail Antonio terrifies AZ Alkmaar players – BBC pundit
Glenn Murray has stated that West Ham United striker Michail Antonio has the AZ Alkmaar defenders running scared, in the BBC Sport live text commentary of the Europa Conference League semi-final.
The former Brighton man praised the impact of Antonio, leaving his opponents “terrified”, over the course of the first half of the game at the London Stadium.
The Hammers suffered a setback with Tijjani Reijnders scoring the opener for AZ in the 41st minute of the first-leg clash but Said Benrahma and Antonio turned it around.
At the opposite end of the pitch, Murray liked what he saw from the 33-year-old attacker.
“The two Alkmaar centre-backs look terrified of Michail Antonio,” he said.
“He’s a big physical presence when the ball is played up to him, but he’s also got plenty of pace and power to run in behind.”
Too cautious
West Ham paid the price for sitting off their Dutch opponents, going into the break with a one-goal deficit.
AZ appeared happy to let the Irons have the ball in their own half as they weren’t really taking the game to them.
The approach from David Moyes’ men was too cautious, with a need for more intensity and purpose in their play, especially with the chances that they did create.
The Hammers are at their best with the handbrake off and they proved that after the break by smashing into the lead with their front-foot attacking play.
With three shots on target as well as four off, the opportunities came in the first half but West Ham found their ruthless edge in the second period.
Key players like Antonio, Jarrod Bowen, and Declan Rice are the danger men that need to step up now to be the difference in the second leg for West Ham to reach the final.