Dinamo Zagreb ace Rasmus Lauritsen looking forward to Antonio battle
West Ham travel to Croatia on Thursday to begin their Europa League group campaign with a clash against Dinamo Zagreb.
The Hammers will be aiming to pick up all three points in their Group H opener, and they will be relying on Michail Antonio to deliver the goods.
The Jamaican international hitman is suspended for Sunday’s Premier League game against Manchester United after picking up two silly yellow cards against Southampton last weekend, and he is expected to start against Zagreb.
The hosts centre-back Rasmus Lauritsen is looking forward to his battles with the 31-year-old, admitting he loves testing himself against strong strikers.
The Zagreb star said (via Football London): “It is always physical football that they play in England. A lot of top players play there and it is physical and for sure it will be a physical game tomorrow and we showed before in Europa that we are good at handling these physical opponents so it is going to be fun.
“Always when you meet opponents you haven’t met before you try to prepare. He’s (Antonio) a very good player, he’s physical and he’s had a good period. For me, I always want to get the biggest challenges possible and this is going to be a great challenge. It’s going to be fun fighting with him.
“I am looking forward to it. I want to play against good players and in these European games you get the chance as a team and individuals to meet these guys and see how good you are – I am looking forward to it.”
Battle on the cards?
The Danish centre-back is only 25 but he has enough experience having played over 180 games as a professional.
At 6ft 2in, Lauritsen is as physical as they come, and having apparently seen several video clips of the Hammers striker bullying opposition defenders, he will be relishing the chance to prove himself against such a difficult opponent.
Zagreb are a force to reckon with in Croatia and they are currently top of the league table after seven games with just a defeat.
While Lauritsen and Antonio will be looking to get the better of one another, West Ham will be welcomed by some 35,000 fans who are more than ready to provide them with a hostile reception.
Zagreb reached the quarter-finals of the Europa League last season where they were dumped out by eventual winners Villarreal, but they knocked out Tottenham Hotspur with a 3-0 victory win en route, and the Hammers should not expect an easy game.
In other West Ham news, Joe Cole insists Hammers can win the Europa League thanks to six key players.
Be sure to follow West Ham Zone on Facebook and Twitter for 24/7 updates on the Hammers and more exclusive interviews with Frank McAvennie.