{"id":4441,"date":"2024-04-19T06:26:51","date_gmt":"2024-04-19T06:26:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/internationalpulse.net\/?p=4441"},"modified":"2024-04-19T06:26:51","modified_gmt":"2024-04-19T06:26:51","slug":"xabi-alonso-hails-west-ham-duo-after-bayer-leverkusens-europa-league-win-football","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/internationalpulse.net\/?p=4441","title":{"rendered":"Xabi Alonso hails West Ham duo after Bayer Leverkusen’s Europa League win | Football"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/p>\n

\n
\n
\n

\"Xabi\n<\/div>

Xabi Alonso\u2019s Bayer Leverkusen edged past West Ham (Picture: Getty)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Xabi Alonso singled out two West Ham players for praise after his Bayer Leverkusen side knocked the Hammers out of the Europa League.<\/p>\n

The Bundesliga champions won the first leg 2-0 and advanced to the semi-finals with a 3-1 aggregate victory after drawing 1-1 at the London Stadium.<\/p>\n

West Ham produced an admirable performance against unbeaten Leverkusen, with Michail Antonio\u2019s 13th-minute header giving David Moyes\u2019 side real hope in the tie.<\/p>\n

The Hammers continued to press for an equaliser but Jeremie Frimpong scored late on to settle the tie and maintain Leverkusen\u2019s unbeaten record in all competitions this season.<\/p>\n

Alonso admitted his team had to ride some \u2018tough\u2019 moments in east London against \u2018physical\u2019 West Ham and reserved special praise for Hammers stars Jarrod Bowen and Lucas Paqueta.<\/p>\n

\u2018We were ready and knew they were going to push really hard,\u2019 Alonso told TNT Sports. \u2018We were not comfortable in our structure, we were not able to find a flow.<\/p>\n

\u2018We had some soft loose balls and the momentum was with West Ham. To be honest, they were the best team at half-time, we were not at our best. Happily, we changed things at half-time.<\/p>\n

\n
\n

\"Michail\n<\/div>

Michail Antonio gave the Hammers hope but Bayer held on (Picture: Getty)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u2018I am just happy to go through. In the Europa League you always have tough moments.<\/p>\n

\u2018West Ham have good players and energy. Credit to them, they played really hard, totally different to what they did in Leverkusen.<\/p>\n

\u2018You need to deal with difficult moments, it\u2019s not always possible to control the whole 90 minutes. It was key we didn\u2019t concede that second or third goal.<\/p>\n

\u2018We know the physicality of West Ham. They also have amazing players like Jarrod Bowen and Lucas Paqueta.\u2019<\/p>\n