Dinamo Zagreb star Mislav Orsic said Ryan Fredericks marked him out of the game during West Ham United’s 2-0 UEFA Europa League victory in the Croatian capital, while speaking to Index HR.
Having started just seven games under David Moyes since the inspired addition of Vladimir Coufal 11 months ago, Fredericks would have been desperate to make an impression during West Ham’s first European tie since a 3-0 thumping at Palermo back in 2006.
And make an impression he certainly did.
Not only did the former Fulham flyer offer a useful outlet going forward, nearly scoring in the first half when being put through by the irrepressible Michail Antonio, he also ensured that Dinamo’s most dangerous attacker was little more than a spectator throughout.
Orsic scored a famous hat-trick against Jose Mourinho’s Tottenham five months ago. There was to be no such repeat of that display, with Fredericks watching his every move however.
Will Ryan Fredericks get more of a chance now?
“It is certain that they were quite ready, their right-back was always close to me,” said a man who very nearly joined West Bromwich Albion back in January 2020.
“We have to turn our attention to the next games (against Rapid Vienna and Genk), try to get over this defeat and pass the group stage.
“We almost gifted them both goals and it was really hard to play after that. We knew that if we kept it at 0-0, it would be harder for them to play and easier for us.
“Unfortunately, we didn’t manage to keep that zero. We got in better in the second half but we didn’t score a goal and then we conceded it again.”
Antonio opened the scoring early on with his fifth of the season, pouncing on an under-hit back-pass, before Declan Rice intercepted a loose ball inside his own half, stormed into the box and finished in style.
Kurt Zouma, meanwhile, was outstanding on debut, while new £25 million midfielder Nikola Vlasic showed the odd glimpse of talent too.
All in all, a very good night for a side who have become accustomed to the sweet taste of success.
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