Michail Antonio unhappy after West Ham exit - 'Feels like you’re playing against 13... 14, including the two linos'
/dnl.eurosport.com/sd/img/placeholder/eurosport_logo_1x1.png){kind=logo}
ByOli Gent
Updated 18/04/2024 at 23:31 GMT
Michail Antonio could not hide his frustrations about the refereeing of West Ham United's UEFA Europa League quarter-final second leg against Bayer Leverkusen. The game finished 1-1 at the London Stadium with The Hammers needing to overcome a two-goal deficit after a 2-0 first leg defeat, but Antonio's opening goal was cancelled out late on by Jeremie Frimpong to send Leverkusen through.
ONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 18: Dejection for West Ham United's Michail Antonio during the UEFA Europa League 2023/24 Quarter-Final second leg match between West Ham United FC and Bayer 04 Leverkusen at Olympic Stadium on April 18, 2024 in London, England.
Image credit: Getty Images
Michail Antonio bemoaned the referee’s decisions as West Ham United exited the UEFA Europa League after a 1-1 draw with Bayer Leverkusen at the London Stadium.
The Hammers needed to overturn a 2-0 deficit after defeat in Germany the previous week, with late goals from Jonas Hofmann and Victor Boniface giving Xabi Alonso’s side the advantage heading to east London, but David Moyes’ hosts fought resolutely, taking the game to the runaway Bundesliga champions in the early exchanges.
Antonio halved the aggregate deficit with a header from Jarrod Bowen’s inswinger to give West Ham a glimmer of hope, but despite their numerous chances, the UEFA Europa Conference League holders could not muster a second that would have forced extra time.
Spanish referee Jose Maria Sanchez did not make himself popular amongst the home support as he brandished yellow cards throughout the 90 minutes, booking 11 players across both sides, as well as dismissing West Ham coach Billy McKinlay on the sidelines.
Antonio, who cut a lonely figure up front for The Hammers at times, was marshalled tightly by Leverkusen’s central defensive trio, but particularly by Jonathan Tah and Piero Hincapie.
The Jamaican forward aired his frustrations about the decisions that he believed went against his side, and also about The Hammers’ display in the first leg.
“Last week we gave them a bit too much respect," Antonio told TNT Sports. "This week we came out and showed what we could do.
“I felt like I didn’t get a decision all game. I felt a bit frustrated and felt that we deserved more. It’s football, and the decisions weren’t given our way.
"It doesn’t feel like you’re playing against 11 men, it feels like you’re playing against 13.... 14 including the two linos.
“We’ve got to move on from that and try and get into Europe again next year.”
Moyes’ hosts started on the front foot, going after their opponents with a high press. However, as they began to tire in the second half, it was Jeremie Frimpong’s late equaliser that secured Leverkusen’s place in the last four.
“It was very high-tempo football,” Antonio said. “Us chasing them down with high pressure, and it got to us at the end where the pressure got a bit less.
“We still put in a good performance with quite a few chances. They’re a quality team, and showed [that] last week. This week, we made it more of an even game. It was disappointing last week, we gave them too much respect [and came back with] a 2-0 deficit. That was too hard to get back [tonight].
“We’re very proud of ourselves; to have achieved what we’ve achieved over the last four years is unbelievable. To say four back-to-back quarter-finals in Europe, I would never have thought that because we were a bit of a yo-yo team, fighting for relegation, and then into Europe, and then fighting relegation.
“Four back to back, I would never have thought of it. Maybe one, maybe two, definitely not four. Disappointed about today, but we take all the positives and we keep moving on and make sure we get into Europe again next year.”
- - -
TNT Sports presents the premium live sports rights previously carried by BT Sport including the Premier League, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Conference League, Gallagher Premiership Rugby, Investec Champions Cup, EPCR Challenge Cup, MotoGP, Cricket, UFC, Boxing and WWE. The streaming home for TNT Sports in the UK is discovery+, where fans can enjoy a subscription that includes TNT Sports, Eurosport and entertainment in one destination.
Scan me
Related Topics
Share this article
Advertisement
Advertisement