West Ham aim to keep the European dream alive as they welcome Eintracht Frankfurt to the capital

West Ham United take on German side Eintracht Frankfurt in the first leg of the Europa League semi-final clash with the Irons aiming to make the most of their home advantage at the London Stadium.

Defeating Frankfurt will be no easy feat for David Moyes’ side, however, after a dramatic display at the Nou Camp saw them knock out Barcelona 4-3 on aggregate in the previous round.

A European night gives West Ham the opportunity to get back to winning ways following two poor league results. A disappointing point at home to Burnley followed by late heartbreak against rivals Chelsea with Christian Pulisic’s 90th-minute winner has hindered recent hopes of securing another year of European football.

This will also be the case for Oliver Glasner’s side with their Europa League journey the highlight of the season so far with league form leaving something to be desired. The Eagles have picked up just three points in their last five games, dropping points to Union Berlin and Hoffenheim since their heroics in Spain. Frankfurt find themselves in ninth place as a result of such form, 10 points adrift of a European spot. 

Both sides will appreciate what is at stake with the dream of silverware potentially becoming a reality for one of these clubs. A win on Thursday would mean one step closer to the final, where they will face either RB Leipzig or Rangers in Seville.

Team News

David Moyes will be wary of the lack of defensive options at his disposal with Issa Diop unavailable for the midweek clash as he joins fellow defenders Angelo Ogbonna and Kurt Zouma on the sidelines. 

The visitors will also be forced into a defensive change of their own following Evan Ndicka’s late red card against Barcelona. The Frenchman will miss the tie with Makoto Hasebe most likely to take his place in the back three.

Views from the managers

David Moyes

The Scottish manager believes he can count on his squad again to deliver in the big moments with the final firmly in sight.

“We did a really good job in the group – the whole squad did a brilliant job – and then we’ve had two huge ties.

“We’re in a semi-final. You would always like the second leg at home, but we have to deal with that, and I think we’re in a good place and have to challenge to get to the final.”

Oliver Glasner

Frankfurt head coach Oliver Glasner has highlighted the importance of such a special match for the two sides and counts on their travelling support to be a major factor for success in London.

“The biggest motivation is that we’re in the semi-final of a European competition. Unless you play for the major clubs, that’s something extraordinary for Frankfurt – we were in the semi-finals three years ago but before that hadn’t been there in a long time – and extraordinary for a coach, a player and for a club. We can feel how special a game it is.

“Our 3,000 supporters tomorrow will make a lot of noise, and so will the 57,000 West Ham fans, who will also make a lot of noise and a wonderful atmosphere for a semi-final.

Head-to-Head

Thursday’s meeting will be the first of two legs between these clubs in what is a rare encounter between the Premier League and Bundesliga sides.

West Ham and Frankfurt last faced each other 46 years ago in the European Cup Winners Cup, where the Irons came out 4-3 winners on aggregate in the semi-final – a result the London side will be hoping to replicate with European glory in touching distance now. 

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