Stuart Pearce shares what West Ham United must do v Bayer Leverkusen amid ‘magnificent’ verdict
Stuart Pearce has shared what West Ham must do if they are to advance from their Europa League quarter-final tie against Bayer Leverkusen on Thursday (18 April).
Despite keeping a clean sheet for 80 minutes in the first leg, two late goals from Jonas Hofmann and Victor Boniface saw the newly-crowned Bundesliga champions take a 2-0 lead in the tie at the BayArena.
Former Irons defender Pearce says if the Hammers are to complete an unexpected comeback at the London Stadium on Thursday (18 April), they must ensure they get the first goal on the night and get the fans rocking.
Speaking live via talkSPORT on Wednesday (17 April, 8:44am), Pearce said: “I think it’s a tough call. Emerson’s (Palmieri) out, (Lucas) Paqueta’s out – it’s going to be a tough, tough call.
“If they turn it around tomorrow night, they’ll have done absolutely brilliant to do so. I thought for 80 minutes they were magnificent in Germany for the first leg of a European tie.
“They have to come out and go after them. They must get the first goal and see what atmosphere they can create in the stadium. I think it’s a tough ask.”
Can West Ham United complete the comeback v Bayer Leverkusen?
David Moyes’ side proved their defensive capabilities for 83 minutes in the first leg, having kept Leverkusen from scoring despite the German side keeping a 73 per cent possession of the ball at the BayArena. [FotMob]
As Pearce alludes to, the crowd at the London Stadium could play a vital role if West Ham are to do the unexpected and overturn the two-goal deficit, especially considering their number of absentees.
The Hammers fans have had a very mixed relationship with Moyes this season, with many calling for the manager to be sacked, but all of that must be pushed to one side as the team hopes to experience a special European night.
Though Xabi Alonso’s side are yet to be beaten this season, they could still be savouring their 5-0 win over Werder Bremen on Sunday (14 April), which saw them confirmed as Bundesliga champions.
With Paqueta, Emerson and, most likely, Jarrod Bowen unavailable, the rest of the squad must pull together for a perfect team performance in order to pull off a victory on Thursday.
In other West Ham news, Lucas Paqueta transfer rumours were branded “nonsense”.
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