An Eintracht Frankfurt star is warning his teammates about two West Ham players in particular ahead of tomorrow’s semi-final clash.
One of the biggest matches in the history of West Ham is now just a day away.
The Hammers welcome German side Frankfurt to the London Stadium on Thursday night for the first leg of the huge Europa League last four clash.
West Ham saw off Lyon in the quarter-finals while Frankfurt beat Barcelona to set up a repeat of the European Cup Winners Cup semi-final of 1976.
Hammers boss David Moyes and his players will be well aware of the threat posed by Oliver Glasner’s Frankfurt side given some of the opposition they have beaten so far.
And it seems Colombian striker Rafael Borre has done his homework on West Ham too.
In an interview with UEFA before the semi-final, the Frankfurt star warns teammates about two West Ham players in particular.
Borre, who used to play for River Plate and Villarreal, highlights Manuel Lanzini and Pablo Fornals as West Ham players he and his teammates must keep quiet.
“I think West Ham are one of those teams who like dominating matches, having the ball, touching it a lot, doing more passes, and that’s how they have developed their own style,” Borre told UEFA.
“I know Fornals, who played for Villarreal, and Lanzini, who played for River Plate.
“I know the kind of players they are, how skilled they are and what they can bring to a team like West Ham.”
Borre is spot on. Lanzini and Fornals have both been absolutely key to West Ham’s progress in the Europa League.
Their technical quality has been crucial, especially against the likes of Sevilla and Lyon.
Frankfurt – ninth in the Bundesliga – warmed up for first leg against West Ham with a 2-2 draw against Hoffenheim.
Ahead of the game, West Ham’s Bundesliga opponents have ‘done a Lyon’ and posted comments belittling the Hammers on Twitter and their official website.