I’ve gone through some of the West Ham forums and the comments are mixed, but generally they are showing us respect as EL veterans. What I like about the ‘non-top clubs’ of not only EPL but around the world as well is that they are more humble and more passionate about football in overall, always with exceptions of course.
Many of them are considering this as the most important match in their lifetime. On the contrary, for us this is just another match in EL, especially at this stage (1/16th round).
I’m a bit hopeful about this given our great track record against English teams - and West Ham are nothing special, but our inconsistent form and often lack of proper approach in the game is quite worrying.
This is very similar to our match vs. Wolves in 2019-20 EL mini-tournament, although that was a one-off match in a neutral ground without spectators and the passionate fans of both sides in the stadiums can potentially make the difference in this one.
@SurreySevilla - what do you think about this one and West Ham in particular. You follow the EPL, besides the counter-attacking risk and maybe set pieces, what other threat do they pose?
I’m thinking physique and high tempo in key situations will be problematic But generally I also feel we can find a way to slow it down and get 65% possession and make it a 0-0 for example.
Unfortunately I’m working Thursday evening and will be too nervous to check on the score in case I jinx Sevilla…
The pace and strength of English (and others) teams in general worries me vs the Sevilla defence, particularly given how attacking Acuña can be and how rash Diego Carlos was in the last tournament.
I think relying on this being Sevilla’s tournament is a dangerous attitude for the team and fans, given the quality of the sides remaining in the tournament. Lopé needs to step up if he hopes the team can get past West Ham at least. That said if Sevilla don’t win this tournament, maybe then there’s finally a justification to get a new manager haha… Nah but if they don’t win it, it’s not the end of the world, especially if they can finish the La Liga season strongly.
Claudio Bravo also saving them from worse tho. This should have been over for them already. Formidable performance from Frankfurt, and their fans. Outperformed them both.
