Spanish news outlet Diario de Sevilla have been reviewing the Europa League clash between West Ham and Sevilla last night.
The Premier League side suffered a narrow defeat to Julen Lopetegui’s side in Seville, in what was a solid, admirable performance.
However, Diario de Sevilla didn’t see it that way.
What’s the story?
Well, Spanish journalist Luis Carlos Peris wrote that West Ham did not justify the praise they were receiving ahead of the Last 16 clash.
Peris added that Sevilla overwhelmed the east Londoners, before mentioning that it has been a while since the Irons reached this level of European football.
In our view, West Ham actually did well to stay in the tie, and they should fancy their chances of overturning the 1-0 deficit at the London Stadium.
Declan Rice struggled in West Ham vs Sevilla
These aren’t our words, but the words of Francisco Jose Ortega.
The Spanish journalist believes Munir El Haddadi – who scored the game’s only goal – was on top of Declan Rice whenever he had the ball.
Such intense pressure from the Moroccan on Rice caused the “more technically limited” West Ham players to struggle, as they were unable to rely on their talisman.
By the sounds of it, Ortega believes Rice is the one who makes West Ham tick – he even describes the 23-year-old as a “lighthouse” for the Irons.
So, the Spanish media clearly weren’t too impressed by West Ham last night, who have plenty of work to do in the second leg at the London Stadium.
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