2 years ago
After a stunning 2-0 win over Sevilla on Thursday, West Ham United advanced for the Europa League quarter-finals, and Rice claims the side is full of confidence.
BT Sport interview with Declan Rice
Declan Rice believes West Ham will win whoever they face in the Europa League quarter-finals.
Following their thrilling victory over Sevilla on Thursday night, Declan Rice feels West Ham are capable of beating anyone left in the Europa League.
With a 2-0 win over the Spanish team at the London Stadium, the Hammers advanced for the competition's quarter-finals. In the first half, Tomas Soucek scored to cancel out Munir El Haddadi's goal from the first leg, before Andriy Yarmolenko scored the game-winning goal in extra time.Following their spectacular victory over Sevilla on Thursday night, they are capable of defeating anyone left in the Europa League.
With a 2-0 win over the Spanish team at the London Stadium, the Hammers advanced for the competition's quarter-finals. In the first half, Tomas Soucek scored to cancel out Munir El Haddadi's goal from the first leg, before Andriy Yarmolenko scored the game-winning goal in extra time to put them through 2-1 on aggregate.
Yarmolenko has been on compassionate leave since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, but he has already scored two key goals in as many games, including one in Sunday's 2-1 triumph over Aston Villa. When Pablo Fornals' effort was thwarted, he came back with a rebound.Sevilla had won the Europa League four times in the previous eight seasons and had not lost a European tie after establishing a first-leg lead since 1981, thus victory was a significant scalp for West Ham. Rice believes they have what it takes to beat whoever they face in the next round, which includes Barcelona, Lyon, RB Leipzig, Rangers, Eintracht Frankfurt, Atalanta, and Braga.
"I said after the FA Cup win against Leeds that I'll take anyone," Rice told BT Sport. "I think the lads will take anyone as well." "There's no one to be afraid of." Sevilla were, without a doubt, the favorites. When the draw was made, many people predicted that we would be eliminated because we had the toughest draw... and they were right.BT Sport is a British sports broadcaster. "There's no one to be afraid of." Sevilla were, without a doubt, the favorites. When the draw was made, many people assumed we received the toughest draw and would be eliminated... now we've defeated them!
"Look, we can go anyplace and win, and visiting teams know they're in for a game when they walk into this stadium with our fans, so I'm ready to take anyone."
Andriy Yarmolenko of West Ham United scored the second goal in Leg Two of the UEFA Europa League Round of 16 match between West Ham United and Sevilla FC.
In the 112th minute, Andriy Yarmolenko came off the bench to score the game-winning goal.
GET YOUR VOICE HEARD! Is West Ham capable of going all the way?"Me and the guys fancy the Nou Camp, we've heard they do some good paella down there!" said pundit Joe Cole, suggesting Barcelona as a possible encounter. Rice said with a giggle, "You've had some big nights there too, man!" Yes, going there and facing Barcelona would be a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
"As I already stated, this is exactly what this team deserves. From a relegation struggle when Moyes first arrived to getting into Europe last year, we've worked hard for this. We don't have the biggest squad this season, so there are a lot of questions about how far we'll go and what we'll do, but we're still in the Premier League and in the quarter-finals. As a result, there's a significant difference.This season, West Ham has been impressive in the Europa League, combining their Premier League campaign with their European objectives. The team of David Moyes finished first in their group, losing only one of their three matches against Dinamo Zagreb, Genk, and Rapid Vienna.
They were defeated 1-0 in Seville last week, but came out on top in east London on Thursday, with Rice being one of the standout players on the field. To give the hosts the lead, Soucek headed in Michail Antonio's cross, before Yarmolenko came off the bench to score in the 112th minute.
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