Lukasz Fabianski has urged his West Ham team-mates to believe they can be the side to end Bayer Leverkusen’s extraordinary unbeaten run when they face the Germans on Thursday.
Leverkusen have not lost in 41 games this season, and over the weekend moved 16 points clear of Bayern Munich at the top of the Bundesliga.
Xabi Alonso’s men can wrap up their first-ever title next weekend, but before that will host West Ham in the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final.
Despite their recent success in Europe, the Hammers go into the tie as heavy underdogs, but Fabianski insists they have every chance of reaching a third straight European semi-final.
“We have to believe,” said the goalkeeper. “We know it’s a huge challenge in front of us, but the games in Europe are always very special.
“Every game is different, every European team is different from our experience over the last three years. Hopefully, it will be a good night for us.”
West Ham have been left sweating on the fitness of Jarrod Bowen, who is due to be assessed today after being forced off with a hip problem in Saturday’s 2-1 win at Wolves.
West Ham were given advanced warning of Leverkusen’s brilliance coming into the season, having lost 4-0 in a friendly at the BayArena in August. But, rather than carry the scars from that defeat into this week, Fabianski claims the Hammers can turn it to their advantage.
“It was a good experience, because now we know more or less what to expect,” said the Pole. “It can be more difficult if you go into something unknown.”
West Ham go into the contest having returned to winning ways in the Premier League at Molineux.
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Lucas Paqueta’s penalty and James Ward-Prowse’s goal direct from a corner saw David Moyes’s side come from behind, though they needed a late favour from VAR, which ruled out a would-be leveller from Max Kilman in the 99th-minute.