A cauldron, awful pitch and top team await West Ham as Freiburg warm up for the Europa League clash with a comfortable win.
West Ham head to Germany without any fans on Thursday night for what looks an extremely tough game against Bundesliga outfit Freiburg.
While West Ham were beating FK TSC Backa Topola 3-1 at home, Germans Freiburg laid down a marker by winning 3-2 away at Olympiacos.
West Ham fans who do not follow Bundesliga should be under no illusions, Freiburg are a very capable team right now.
And a team in every sense of the word. In many ways they are much like the Hammers, specialising in set pieces, organised, hard-working and disciplined.
Cauldron, awful pitch and top team await as Freiburg warm up for West Ham Europa League clash with comfortable win
West Ham have more pace in their side overall and must look to take advantage.
But David Moyes will have to field a full strength team if he wants to come away from the 35k capacity Europa-Park stadium with a positive result.
Because a cauldron, awful pitch and a top team await West Ham as Freiburg warm up for the Europa League clash with a comfortable win.
The atmosphere West Ham face at Freiburg will be very noisy indeed. Akin to what the Hammers faced when they went to Eintracht Frankfurt two seasons ago. Expect flares, smoke, flags and persistent jeers and whistles when West Ham are on the ball.
With no West Ham fans present due to the UEFA ban for this match, there will be little respite for the Hammers players.
As a team Freiburg will be the best we face in the group stage by some distance.
And they have warmed up for the match against West Ham with a comfortable if unspectacular 2-0 win at home against Augsburg.
Clash of two set-piece specialists on a cabbage patch of a pitch in a red hot atmosphere
West Ham fans and Moyes will note that both goals came from set pieces – a penalty and a corner the Hammers would have been proud of.
What should also be noted is the awful state of the Europa-Park pitch.
It is completely breaking up in places, particularly the four corners and both boxes. And it made it difficult for both sides to get passing moves going in the atttacking thirds.
The bobbly pitch will be a big factor and will put even more emphasis on set plays for both sides.
West Ham have the advantage of an extra day of rest over their hosts. But obviously the travel and lack of fans diminishes that somewhat.
An intriguing game is in prospect. Coming away with even a draw would represent a very good result for West Ham.
READ ALSO
What Sheffield United fans sang to West Ham as Europe boast retort was quite brilliant.
West Ham fans will love what Paqueta’s wife posted on social media.
Moyes lifts lid on two transfer insiders who helped Steidten seal amazing deals.
Receive a digest of our best West Ham content each week direct to your mailbox
