Last Thursday, in the infernal bedlam of the London Stadium, it took only about fifty seconds for Ansgar Knauff to immediately break the balance of a semi-final that did not disappoint expectations. A spectacle was to be, and a spectacle it was.
In the first round of the penultimate act of the Europa League, the outsiders West Ham and Eintracht Frankfurt created a vibrant, no-holds-barred challenge between two teams that were far from perfect but still capable of surprising and with an equal chance of reaching the final in Seville. Obviously, after the result of the first leg, the Germans will have a better chance, who, with a display of great personality a week ago, managed to pick up a crucial victory in London, proving once again that they are absolutely inspired when it comes to playing on a continental stage.
West Ham running out of breath?
After chastising Betis and Barcelona in the previous rounds, Oliver Glasner’s men repeated themselves against West Ham, who were beaten 1-2 at home. The Japanese Kamada’s goal at the start of the second half gave Eintracht a considerable advantage in view of the return leg, namely that they could play for two results out of three in the match at Deutsche Bank Park, also taking advantage of the extraordinary enthusiasm of the 60,000 or so fans who would fill the stands of the German stadium. Too wasteful is David Moyes’ team, which gives the impression of being a little low on petrol in this final part of the season. This is confirmed by the recent results, in which the Hammers have won only one of their last seven matches: the 0-3 in Lyon that allowed them to snatch the pass for the historic semi-final.
On Sunday, Antonio and his teammates also surrendered to Arsenal in the derby and are now in danger of being out of Europe, unless, of course, they can lift the cup. In the Bundesliga, on the other hand, Eintracht have no chance of reaching the positions that count – after the defeat against Bayer Leverkusen they slipped to eleventh place – which is why Glasner is concentrating exclusively on the Europa League. And the heavy turnover against the Aspirins is clear proof of that.
Moyes and, in the background, Glasner ©️Ansafoto
The Prediction
Eintracht Frankfurt will be transformed in the Europa League: in the semi-final return leg they will start with a not inconsiderable advantage and will not have the nagging need to win at all costs. West Ham, on the other hand, will be called upon to perform a feat, and on the road, where in recent weeks they have not particularly excelled with the exception of the Lyon sortie. In any case, it will be another spectacular match, with more than two goals in total and at least one on each side, in which the hosts, who give the impression of having more energy than the Londoners, are likely to avoid defeat.
Eintracht Frankfurt-West Ham matchday squad
EINTRACHT FRANKFURT (3-4-2-1): Trapp; N’Dicka, Tuta, Hinteregger; Knauff, Jakić, Sow, Kostić; Kamada, Hrustic; Borré.
WEST HAM (4-2-3-1): Areola; Johnson, Dawson, Zouma, Cresswell; Souček, Rice; Bowen, Lanzini, Fornals; Antonio.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 2-1
