West Ham are making a habit of facing German teams in Europe and have been drawn against Bayer Leverkusen in the last eight.
After smashing Freiburg 5-1 on aggregate, West Ham have been handed another German side in the quarter-finals of the Europa League.
And as far as German teams go, they don’t come much tougher than Xabi Alonso’s remarkable table toppers Bayer Leverkusen.
The Bundesliga leaders are – astonishingly – unbeaten across all competitions this season.
West Ham to face Bayer Leverkusen in last eight
West Ham’s last eight opponents are on course to win the title.
Bayer Leverkusen have also been second favourites for the Europa League behind Liverpool.
West Ham have actually played Bayer Leverkusen in pre-season, losing that game 4-0.
But – significantly – West Ham had not made any notable signings at that time with the likes of Mohammed Kudus, Edson Alvarez and co joining after what was our final season warm-up game.
So West Ham are a completely different outfit now.
Qarabag showed Alonso’s invincibles can be got at
Qarabag showed Leverkusen can be got at defensively – scoring four goals against them over the two legs.
With all that said, given the gulf between most Premier League and Bundesliga sides, it’s hard to gauge what West Ham can expect.
And indeed whether they are justifiably underdogs.
Well now David Moyes and the Hammers have the perfect barometer.
Because you won’t believe who Bayer Leverkusen are playing next and it’ll give West Ham great insight.
West Ham scouts will be returning to familiar territory on Sunday.
Quirk of fate gives Hammers the perfect barometer
By a quirk of fate Leverkusen have an away trip at Freiburg after being drawn against West Ham.
No lack of irony there as the side West Ham vanquished with ease on Thursday take on the team many are predicting will be finalists.
It works out perfectly for Moyes and the Hammers’ scouting department.
Because it will offer a direct comparison between the two German sides.
If Freiburg give Leverkusen a game then it will fill West Ham with great confidence.
And a thumping win for Alonso’s side will reinforce the point that West Ham need to approach the two-legged quarter-final with caution.
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