Self-indulgent Lucas Paqueta costs West Ham but not as much as David Moyes

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It was an opportunity missed for West Ham as Lucas Paqueta and David Moyes cos them in the Europa League defeat at Freiburg.

West Ham lost 1-0 away to Germans Freiburg in the first leg of the Europa League last 16.

It means the Hammers must overturn the deficit in the second leg at the London Stadium next Thursday.

West Ham fans were left hugely frustrated, though, because the tie – like so many others across the competition last night – could and should have already been put to bed.

Let’s not beat around the bush here.

Freiburg are a distinctly average team with no real standout players or pace and guile.

Opportunity missed for West Ham against average Freiburg

The problem is West Ham’s players – none more so than Lucas Paqueta – treated the middling Bundesliga side almost with contempt as a result.

Self-indulgent Paqueta cost West Ham but not as much as David Moyes.

Paqueta can be a talisman on his day. He gives West Ham something no other player in the squad is capable of.

And it should be noted he is only just recently back from six weeks out.

Prancing Paqueta frustrates but not as much as Moyes

But the Brazilian put in a prancing display of silly flicks and showboat touches which too often surrendered possession with West Ham in good positions or well placed to break away.

Freiburg were so basic and predictable Paqueta was lulled into trying to illuminate the game with some brilliance. He was also wasteful with two brilliant chances at the far post to add to similar glaring misses from Jarrod Bowen and Konstantinos Mavropanos.

Nothing came off for Paqueta. But it is not his fault he stayed on the pitch far too long.

It was clear he had faded very early in the second half and that West Ham needed new impetus.

But Moyes waited until the 91st minute to bring him off for Michail Antonio.

Only attacking change came on 91 minutes

The Scot’s approach to the game has left West Ham supporters frustrated. Had it resulted in a 0-0 draw then perhaps it would have been justified.

But West Ham’s lack of attacking impetus against such an average side in such an important game was infuriating.

To then not make any tactical substitutions until the 81st minute is maddening.

And even more so when that substitution was defensive midfielder Kalvin Phillips on for James Ward-Prowse just after West Ham conceded.

This was a massive missed opportunity for West Ham. Now the pressure is on for the second leg where Freiburg can park the bus.

Paqueta owes West Ham a performance next week. And Moyes needs to go at Freiburg – who have zero counter attacking threat – from the off.

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