After three consecutive seasons, according to David Moyes, playing in Europe is now an integral part of the West Ham United experience.
When the Hammers take on Bundesliga team SC Freiburg in Germany this evening, it will be their hardest test in non-domestic competition since they faced Fiorentina in the Conference League Final in June.
The vast majority of West Ham’s regular traveling supporters won’t be in the stadium on Thursday night as a result of a UEFA suspension put in place as a result of disorderly scenes in Prague, so the team will have to face the challenge without them.
In his pre-game press conference, Moyes said, “I’m disappointed we can’t get the supporters here because we’ve had brilliant support away from home in Europe.” “The semifinals and all the other games leading up to the final last year were amazing experiences for us, too.
“We are aware that tomorrow night will be challenging since there will be a large crowd and because the stadium atmosphere is always fantastic when visiting Germany. It was located in
“Perhaps Europe has not been in West Ham’s DNA for a very, very long time. I take satisfaction in the fact that we are now a European club and have been for the past three years running. We definitely don’t take being in a European competition for granted; it’s a luxury, and you approach each game with the mindset that you’ll need to prove yourself.
“All of the games we’ve played in Europe have been challenging, and while the results occasionally appeared to be much simpler, we have always felt the games to be very challenging when playing away from home. And I truly believe that European football is getting much better. The standard is increasing across the board.
When questioned about his particular goals for the current season, Moyes reaffirmed his prior objective, which was to continue competing after the group stage.
He affirmed, “I said I hope we’re in European football after Christmas the first year we came in, and I’m still saying the same. We won the European championship the previous year, so it would be a tremendous accomplishment if we could return to Europe in February, March, or April of the following year.
“The competition itself has advanced significantly. I still believe the first thing I need to do is try to be in Europe after Christmas. I’m looking at the teams in this competition and at the ones who might drop down from the Champions League. That is something I want to do, and it would be significant.
Christian Streich, Moyes’ opponent, acknowledged that the game would be “a huge test” for his club. He remarked, “They have some real quality.” “Some of their bench players cost them 30 or 40 million dollars.
“The great caliber of Premier League games is undeniable. We will be put to the test severely, but I’m eager to do so against a seasoned Premier League team. We battled hard to earn a spot in the Europa League, and we’re eager to face such a major club.
The match is sold out and begins at 5.45 p.m. GMT. Freiburg anticipates a capacity attendance of about 34,200 at the Europa-Park Stadion.
