‘We made it troublesome for ourselves’: Match-winner Michail Antonio admits West Ham wanted to be ‘extra scientific’ after preventing again to beat AZ Alkmaar 2-1 of their Europa Convention League semi-final first leg
Michail Antonio admitted West Ham made exhausting work of their Europa Convention League semi-final first leg towards AZ Alkmaar after being compelled to come back from behind to earn a 2-1 win towards the Dutch outfit.
Tijjani Reijnders had given the guests a first-half lead on the London Stadium, with the midfielder’s effort beating Alphonse Areola from 25 yards.
A second half penalty from Mentioned Benrahma levelled the tie, earlier than Antonio scored from shut vary within the seventy fifth minute after Nayef Aguerd’s header was blocked on the road.
Match-winner Antonio praised the Hammers from overcoming the early setback to earn a slim benefit heading into the second leg subsequent week.
‘It was exhausting work, from watching what they’ve achieved doing over the previous week we knew they might play good soccer,’ Antonio advised BT Sport.
Michail Antonio scored the successful purpose for West Ham as they defeated AZ Alkmaar 2-1
Antonio scored from shut vary within the second half to offer the hosts a slim lead within the tie
‘We made it troublesome for ourselves. We have to be a bit extra scientific however we’ll take the 2-1 to their place.
‘We all know they’re a possession primarily based crew. They know learn how to work it so we determined we might attempt to press them.
‘We believed in ourselves and acquired the 2 objectives. It dropped down for me completely. I don’t assume I had the perfect of video games however I acquired the purpose. I acquired the purpose, we acquired the win and we transfer on to subsequent week.’
The end result retains West Ham’s purpose of successful a primary European trophy since 1965 on monitor.
The Hammers final triumph in Europe after they beat 1860 Munich to clinch the European Cup Winners’ Cup.
David Moyes facet will journey to Alkmaar subsequent week in search of to guide a spot within the Europa Convention League last.
The winners of the tie will face both Fiorentina or Basel within the last in Prague – with the Swiss facet successful the primary leg of that conflict 2-1 due to a last-gasp purpose from Zeki Amdouni.
Nonetheless, the ahead (proper) admitted West Ham made it troublesome for themselves on the night time
