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All change for Moyes in Confirmed XI - AZ Alkmaar v West Ham United
David Moyes has made nine changes for tonight’s Europa Conference League decider between AZ Alkmaar and West Ham United in the semi-final second-leg with a place in the Prague final on the line.
The line-up has been confirmed as the Hammers recall the same lineup from last Thursday against AZ, with the aim to go one 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 is now on delivering the first major silverware since the FA Cup victory in 1980 when Billy Bonds lifted the trophy as captain. The Hammers know that they just need to avoid defeat in the Netherlands to be sure of setting up their shot at glory.
Only Nayef Aguerd and Tomas Soucek retain their places from Sunday’s underwhelming defeat at Brentford otherwise the side lines up as expected.
In particular, the front four of Said Benrahma, Lucas Paqueta, Jarrod Bowen and Michail Antonio will be crucial as will the lynchpin of the side, Declan Rice.
Excellent opportunity
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Now that the Hammers have all but secured Premier League football for another campaign, everything is geared toward the pursuit of European success, in what is an excellent opportunity for Moyes and the players to deliver.
They must believe this is their moment, to get the better of AZ to set up a place in the Prague final, next month.
This clash against the Dutch side needs to be treated as the biggest game of the season, to date, that it is.
The convincing quarter-final success over Gent, as well as the comeback last week at the London Stadium, should put the Irons in the right frame of mind for what will be a formidable challenge but one in which they already hold an advantage with the one-goal lead.
Backed by a small but vocal away support this evening, West Ham will be primed and ready to secure the result that they sorely crave.