Two West Ham stars are key to the Hammers reaching their first European final in 47 years, with Dutch underdogs AZ Alkmaar standing in their way.
Despite a difficult domestic season, the Hammers’ win against Man Utd has guaranteed them a place in the Premier League next season, so all focus has shifted to Europe.
But against a club described as “the best untold story in sports”, by stakeholder and inspiration behind ‘Moneyball’ Billy Beane, it’s not going to be an easy job.
AZ Alkmaar currently sit fourth in the Eredivisie, bagging an impressive draw at Ajax last weekend and chasing down a spot in next year’s Conference League. The Dutch side aren’t strangers to European football, competing every year since 2018.
Should his men be successful, it would be David Moyes’ first European final of his managerial career; he admitted “it could be my best [achievement]”.
The east Londoners have a great defensive record this campaign, and Kurt Zouma is back from injury to shore up the back line even further.
But it’s Michail Antonio and Jarrod Bowen who are best-placed to help the Hammers put one foot in the showpiece final.
The attacking duo have proven themselves time and again this season, combining six times to find the back of the net – the joint most among West Ham players.
So can Moyes’ men set themselves up for their first European trophy of the century, or will the decision be taken to Holland? talkSPORT EDGE takes a look…
- West Ham have conceded just 0.6 goals per game in the UEFA Europa Conference League this season (6 goals in 10 games), the lowest tally among teams with 3+ games in the competition this term.
- AZ Alkmaar have won just two of their previous 14 meetings with Englisdsh clubs in Europe (D5 L7), having lost all six away games against such opponents by an aggregate score of 5-20.
- AZ Alkmaar’s Tijani Reijnders has been involved in 65 open play shot-ending sequences in the UEFA Europa Conference League this season, at least five more than any other player.