West Ham United midfielder Tomas Soucek issues rallying cry ahead of Frankfurt clash
West Ham midfielder Tomas Soucek is confident that the Hammers can beat Eintracht Frankfurt, although he admits it will be a “difficult” game.
The Hammers are currently going through a poor run of form, and they are trailing 2-1 from the first leg.
West Ham made a strong comeback against Sevilla and Lyon in their previous games, and Soucek hopes for another glory night for his club.
“This is a good way [to think] as we won both the other games in the second leg,” he told the Evening Standard.
“We need to do it again now. It gives confidence to us and we know that we can be a better team on Thursday, because we already played against them and we are quite confident.
“But we have to do 100 per cent of us, or maybe more, during the game. We have been showing spirit all season, maybe for two years since Covid started. We have developed a great atmosphere and on Thursday we will need it even more, because it is so difficult but so close to the final.
“Our spirit has to be incredible from the first second, because we know what happened in the first leg, we conceded in 40 seconds. From the first second we have to be ready.”
Huge game
The Hammers have enjoyed a remarkable run in the Europa League this season, but it’s now or never for them.
Having lost against Arsenal in their previous game, they can no longer qualify for the Champions League by finishing in the top four.
The only way they get to play in the Champions League next season is by winning the Europa League, but it’s easier said than done.
At the same time, the scrapping of the away goal rule adds new excitement to this game. It’s a fresh game completely, and the Hammers can win this tie and move into the finals.
It will be massive for the club to play in the Champions League next season, but they must overcome the Frankfurt hurdle first.
Michail Antonio is almost certain to start after he was axed from the starting line-up against Arsenal.
The Hammers won 3-0 against Lyon away from home, and there’s no reason why they can’t do it again.
In other West Ham news, Tony Cottee lets slip that West Ham have “done a deal” for summer transfer and says it will be “announced soon”.
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