AZ Alkmaar vs West Ham: David Moyes aims to breach Dutch fortress again 16 years on from Everton win
David Moyes is the only manager to steer an English team to victory at AZ Alkmaar… now the West Ham boss will try again to break through a Dutch fortress 16 years after Everton’s famous UEFA Cup victory
- Alkmaar have only lost once at home to an English team in their history
- That loss in 2007 saw Moyes’ Everton end a 32-game unbeaten European streak
- Now the Scot is looking to emulate that triumph as he returns with West Ham
The numbers are ominous: AZ Alkmaar has been undefeated in the past 25 home matches in Europe. They have only lost once to an English team here and that loss, in 2007, ended three decades and 32 games without a European defeat in this red and white corner of North Holland.
Suddenly West Ham’s 2-1 lead in the first leg of this Europa Conference League semi-final seems rather small.
“There’s very little in it,” David Moyes admitted Wednesday night. “It’s an incredible record… it really is.”
Fortunately, the manager who inflicted Alkmaar’s first European home defeat, the only man to lead an English team to victory here, is back in the away dugout on Thursday night.
It was Everton van Moyes who won 3-2 in December 2007 in Alkmaar in the UEFA Cup.
David Moyes is the only manager to guide an English team to victory at AZ Alkmaar
Alkmaar are currently undefeated in their last 25 home matches in European competitions
The AFAS stadium has become a fortress ahead of West Ham’s visit on Thursday evening
But it was Everton van Moyes who inflicted Alkmaar’s last and only home defeat against an English side, as Everton recorded a famous UEFA Cup victory in 2007.
“I remember it well,” Moyes said. But only after having his memory refreshed by someone who has followed West Ham’s European trials over the past two seasons.
“It was my father who reminded me,” the Scot added. David Sr was here then and he will be back tonight.
“The moment I came through the door, it all came back. Louis Van Goal was the manager, and I was a young manager then…I’ll have to try that again tomorrow night.’
Moyes is grayer these days. Since that victory, he crossed Van Gaal again – the Dutchman replaced Moyes at Manchester United almost a decade ago – en route to West Ham and a second successive European semi-final. Last season’s Europa League run ended in heartbreak at the hands of Eintracht Frankfurt.
“Maybe a little lack of experience at that level of the league has taken its toll,” said the manager.
“Hopefully we learn from it.”
This time, Moyes’ side can move one step closer to a first major trophy since 1980.
West Ham have only ever reached two European finals. The last came 47 years ago.
West Ham have only reached two European finals, the last of which was 47 years ago
Moyes is aware of the magnitude of this semi-final tie, which sees the Hammers lead 2-1 on aggregate
“It’s a huge game,” Moyes said. But the manager insisted: “We’re not under pressure because it’s exciting that we’re in this situation… it would be great for the club if we could do that. We have a very difficult opponent. We’ll have to earn it. There are no gimmies in football.’
Certainly not here. Even if goals from Mikhail Antonio and Said Benrahma mean West Ham have the advantage.
“If it were the other way around,” Moyes admitted, “we’d say … we have a great chance.”
With Premier League survival all but certain, West Ham know Conference League glory would help save a good season – and guarantee more adventures next year.
“It would be huge if we could make Europe again,” he said. “It’s been an incredible journey for our supporters, for the club and for everyone involved… even if there have been a few steps backwards (this season), I still think reaching a final would be a big step forward. ‘
He added, “The more experience you get, the closer you get to realizing that you may not be able to do it forever. So you have to grab every chance you get.’