West Ham’s resounding 5-0 victory over Freiburg propelled them to the Europa League quarter-finals, but manager David Moyes’ interpretation of the match has raised eyebrows.
Facing a 1-0 deficit from the first leg, West Ham approached the return fixture at the London Stadium with determination. Fielding a more attacking lineup, with Michail Antonio replacing James Ward-Prowse, the Hammers dominated from the outset, securing their largest-ever European win and advancing to a third consecutive European quarter-final.
First-half goals from Lucas Paqueta and Jarrod Bowen set the tone for West Ham’s dominance, while three stunning second-half strikes from Aaron Cresswell and man of the match Mohammed Kudus sealed the emphatic victory.
Despite West Ham’s commanding performance, Freiburg manager Christian Streich offered a peculiar assessment of the match, suggesting that the scoreline flattered the hosts.
Streich’s comments, made on Freiburg’s official website, hinted at Freiburg’s discomfort on the ball and acknowledged West Ham’s superior individual quality. However, he insinuated that the final scoreline did not accurately reflect the match’s balance.
“I didn’t feel like West Ham played us off the park over the 90 minutes,” Streich said.
“We were a bit awkward on the ball, and they showed their immense individual quality.
“Therefore, the final score unfortunately got away from us.”
While Streich may have focused on possession statistics, with Freiburg enjoying 61% of the ball compared to West Ham’s 39%, the Hammers’ dominance was evident in other metrics. West Ham registered seven shots on target and 12 total shots, compared to Freiburg’s three shots on target and one corner.
Despite Freiburg being West Ham’s opponents for half of their eight Europa League matches this season, the Hammers have emerged victorious in three out of four meetings. However, beyond statistics, the decisive factor was the palpable gulf in quality between the Premier League and Bundesliga sides, particularly evident in West Ham’s attacking prowess.
The result underscores West Ham’s growing confidence and proficiency on the European stage under Moyes’ guidance. With each victory, the Hammers affirm their credentials as contenders in continental competition, driven by a potent blend of individual talent and collective determination.
As West Ham progresses in the Europa League, they continue to defy expectations and assert their presence among Europe’s elite. For Moyes and his side, the journey represents an opportunity to make history and etch their names in the annals of West Ham’s storied legacy.