Freiburg coach Christian Streich was keen to highlight the ‘fantastic quality’ of Lucas Paqueta and the brilliance of Mohammed Kudus following Thursday’s 2-0 Europa League defeat at West Ham United.
David Moyes’ side needed to win if they were to leapfrog Freiburg and into top spot in Group A. And they certainly made sure of that, racing into a 2-0 lead by half-time and exercising some of the ghosts which left a rather haunted expression on the face of the West Ham supporters following that five-goal hammering by Fulham a few days earlier.
Edson Alvarez, sorely missed at Craven Cottage, was back and brilliant against Freiburg. The Mexican international set up Mohammed Kudus’ opener with a beautifully-weighted clipped pass and then scored the second after a clever one-two with Jarrod Bowen.
Lucas Paqueta, meanwhile, tends to save his best performances for Europe and this was no different. A typical display of class and creativity, Paqueta nearly followed up his Olympiakos wondergoal with another stunner, rattling the Freiburg bar with a fierce volley.
West Ham beat Freiburg in Europa League
And Streich had no complaints about the final result, his perennial overachievers undone by the superior individual quality at Moyes’ disposal.
“It’s difficult to shut the gaps down. (Freiburg defender) Jordy Makengo was playing against a top player like Kudus,” Streich says, in quotes reported by the Irish News. “Lucas Paqueta has got fantastic quality, and I could really mention the whole team.
“If you don’t play at the highest level, it is hard to play against a team at the level of West Ham.”
The Europa Conference League holders now have the luxury of skipping a play-off tie against one of the third-place Champions League teams dropping down from above, instead securing a place in the last-16 at Freiburg’s expense.
And Moyes was keen to sign the praises of both Alvarez and Kudus, the former Ajax team-mates bringing their tenacity and technique to the London Stadium.
Cruising into Europa League knockout stages
“(Alvarez) did great,” Moyes smiles. “The assist for the first one was a great pass. Then, he did a great bit of link up with Jarrod and scores a big goal. So I’m really pleased for him tonight.
“The two of them (Kudus and Alvarez) have made great contributions already. Mainly Mohammed with goals and Edson with other elements, and the two will get better.
“They’ve both settled in really well and they’ve done a good job.”
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
