Tony Cottee reacts to West Ham United v Leverkusen draw after Europa League exit
Tony Cottee has shared his pride at West Ham United’s performance in their Europa League exit to Bayer Leverkusen at the London Stadium.
The Hammers turned in a fantastic performance but could only earn a 1-1 draw in the second leg, which saw them crash out of the tournament 3-1 on aggregate which leaves them fighting to get back into Europe next season.
And while club legend Cottee admits the team just lacked the quality to get the second goal against Leverkusen, he labelled the weekend clash with Crystal Palace as a “must-win” if they want to get back to European nights.
“Proud of the team and all the fans last night,” he wrote on his personal X account (19 April).
“We just needed that second goal and it could have been my dream… Must win vs Palace on Sunday now as I want these European nights to continue.”
West Ham United vs Crystal Palace is a huge game
It’s not often that West Ham v Crystal Palace is a nothing game, because the London derby element to it is always enough to make fans care.
But with the way the season has gone for the Hammers, and with the fact that fifth place no longer gets a Champions League place following European results this week, a win is even more vital now.
The club have been playing in European competition for the last three seasons and have reached a semi-final, won the tournament and now been beaten by arguably the best team in Europe this season in a quarter-final so there is nothing to be ashamed of.
But domestically things look difficult and no Europe at all next season would surely mean players like Lucas Paqueta, Mohammed Kudus and Jarrod Bowen are more likely to attract attention from elsewhere.
If that’s the case then it may be difficult for the club to turn around and say no, as financially they will be taking a hit already. Win against Palace and Europe hopes remain alive.
In other West Ham news, Robbie Savage absolutely stunned by what he saw in Leverkusen clash.
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