Gent boss Hein Vanhaezebrouck has made a big admission about facing West Ham in the Europa Conference League quarter-final.
After picking up two vital wins in a week to boost their Premier League survival chances, attentions now turn back to Europe for West Ham.
The Hammers face Belgian side Gent in the first leg of their Europa Conference League quarter-final this Thursday evening.
After seeing off AEK Larnaca 6-0 on aggregate in the last 16, West Ham are one of the favourites to win the competition having also made the semi-finals of the Europa League last season.
Standing in their way are Gent with the first leg in Belgium on Thursday before the second leg back at the London Stadium a week later.
To find out a bit more about our opponents Hammers News has spoken exclusively to Belgian football expert Sacha Tavolieri.
The journalist revealed Gent fear ‘massive’ West Ham and gave the full lowdown on the Belgians ahead of the game.
But what does the manager think?
Gent boss Hein Vanhaezebrouck has made a big admission about facing West Ham in the Europa Conference League quarter-final.
Speaking to UEFA, Vanhaezebrouck admitted he has felt conflicted after being drawn against the Hammers.
Because while it is a great spectacle for the club’s fans, he believes West Ham were the toughest possible opponents left in the competition.
“I was in two minds when the draw was made,” Vanhaezebrouck said ahead of the game.
“Firstly, I thought the stadium will be full and the fans will be happy.
“But from a sporting point of view, they were the most difficult opponents we could have got. West Ham are a strong team, including in the literal sense of the word. I hope our supporters will be out in force. We will really need them.”
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