English newspapers destroy Angelo Ogbonna after West Ham United loss v Olympiacos, he was ‘dreadful’
English newspapers tore into West Ham United defender Angelo Ogbonna after his “dreadful” error in their 2-1 Europa League loss against Olympiacos on Thursday 26 October.
The Hammers slipped to their first Europa League defeat this season and their second consecutive loss in all competitions as they were overpowered by the Greek giants at the Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium.
And veteran centre-back Ogbonna was at fault for Olympiacos’ second goal after he attempted to clear a shot but the ball bobbled past Alphonse Areola in the West Ham net, meaning the Hammers’ 17-game unbeaten streak in Europe came to an end.
And the English media (26 October) weren’t particularly impressed by the Italian’s performance on Thursday night.
Evening Standard wrote in their online edition after the match: “Dreadful attempt at a clearance that didn’t need to be made ended in own-goal and crucial Olympiacos cushion before half-time. Booked and maybe a touch fortunate not to receive a second yellow soon after.”
The Italian was given a 3/10 rating while The Independent (26 October) described his mistake as a “Greek tragedy.”
End is nigh
David Moyes may well have backed his experienced and veteran defender after the match last night, but Ogbonna’s performance was of a player who not only lacked experience but most crucially, quality.
The Italian international was indeed dreadful last night and Moyes must well be ruing his decision to start him at such a crucial stage of their European venture.
You simply cannot go to Olympiacos and be playing second string players because you’ll simply be punished as West Ham United learnt last night, and that may well be the last time we see Ogbonna start for the Hammers again.
The former Juventus defender has proven an absolute stalwart whenever he’s been called upon by Moyes in the past but clearly isn’t up to the required level to perform amongst the elite any longer.
If the East Londoners harbour any ambitions to win the competition come next May, then Ogbonna should not start again.
In other West Ham news, Edson Alvarez revealed who convinced him to make the move to the London Stadium.