West Ham United supervisor David Moyes returns to AZ Alkmaar on Thursday evening in hope of repeating his victory right here in 2007, when his Everton facet grew to become the primary workforce to ever inflict a European house loss on the Dutch facet.
AZ had gone 32 video games unbeaten at house in Europe, over a interval spanning three a long time, earlier than their assembly with Moyes in 2007, when Everton gained 3-2 within the UEFA Cup.
The Dutch workforce have remained formidable at house ever since, with Arsenal and Manchester United among the many golf equipment who’ve didn’t win on the AFAS Stadion in current seasons, and they’re unbeaten of their final 25 European house video games.
Moyes stated he has fond recollections of that evening in 2007 as he appears to information his West Ham workforce previous AZ and into the ultimate of the Europa Convention League. West Ham lead 2-1 following final week’s first leg on the London Stadium.
“I’ve been right here and gained earlier than,” stated Moyes. “I keep in mind it properly. I’ve to strive to try this once more tomorrow evening. That’s the job. I keep in mind it as a result of I’ve a lot respect for Louis van Gaal and he was the [AZ] coach at the moment. I used to be nonetheless a really younger coach studying my method.
“I’ve all the time loved coming to the Netherlands, I’ve all the time loved coming right here to play in youth tournaments, to be round watching soccer. I do not forget that evening fairly properly.”
West Ham have been knocked out on the semi-final stage of final season’s Europa League, after they have been defeated by Eintracht Frankfurt, and can look to make use of that loss as motivation on Thursday evening.
Requested concerning the loss to Frankfurt a 12 months in the past, midfielder Tomas Soucek stated: “I’ve not watched the sport [back] as a result of I used to be so upset for a lot of days and even months. Even now. We need to give our followers this opportunity to get to the ultimate. I believe we’re much more motivated than final 12 months.
“We’re very completely happy that it’s in our palms, however we don’t need to come right here and defend the end result. We need to play our method.”
