Steaua Bucharest’s boss has pleaded with West Ham fans to fill the London Stadium for this week’s Europa Conference League clash.
There is no rest for the wicked and after the debacle at Chelsea on Saturday, West Ham are back in action on Thursday night for their first Conference League group game of the campaign against FCSB.
In many ways it offers David Moyes’ side a good opportunity to get the rage and frustration from Stamford Bridge out of their system.
West Ham are clear favourites to qualify from Group B having made the semi-finals of last season’s Europa League and off the back of spending over £170m this summer.
But the forthcoming reunion with Steaua will not be easy. The Romanians knocked West Ham out of the UEFA Cup back in 2000.
Moyes will not allow complacency to creep in as was proved with his strong approach to the qualifier against Viborg.
West Ham know they are a big scalp in this competition. And visiting teams will relish the massive occasion of playing at West Ham’s 62,500 capacity stadium.
Steaua are struggling so far in this season’s Liga 1. They are no strangers to playing in a big stadium as their home ground is the 55k capacity Arena Nationala.
But playing regularly in front of big crowds FCSB are not used to in the recent past with their average attendance just 10,000.
West Ham’s players and fans fully embraced last season’s Europa League journey home and away, with sell out crowds and some memorable atmospheres.
Having qualified for the Conference League and been drawn in West Ham’s group, FCSB are desperate to taste some of that it seems if comments from their manager Nicolae Dica are anything to go by.
The Steaua Bucharest boss has pleaded with West Ham fans to fill the London Stadium for their Europa Conference League clash.
Because he feels his players have earned the right to experience it.
UEFA’s website states that Dica is “thrilled” his charges will get to experience football at this level and are “raring to go for a prestigious trip to the English capital”.
“They need to see what it’s like to play with 50-60,000 fans in the stands,” Dica told UEFA.
“Here’s hoping.”
Moyes is also hoping the West Ham faithful turn out in force in a show of appreciation of two consecutive seasons playing European football.
“It will be exciting times once again,” Moyes told UEFA.
“I’m really pleased we’re back in Europe again. Two years in a row for West Ham to be in Europe is fantastic.”
Kick off is at 8pm on Thursday and tickets are now on general sale.
As with last season’s Europa League, the group winners automatically advance to the last 16 knockout phase whereas second place faces a two-legged play-off against a Europa League dropout.
Teams who pick up 11 points plus almost always top the group.