Attentions now turn to West Ham’s huge Europa League quarter-final with Bayer Leverkusen and it’s the news so many wanted.
When Bayer Leverkusen were drawn to face West Ham in the Europa League quarter-finals, the Hammers were made big underdogs.
Xabi Alonso’s side were unbeaten in all competitions at the time and on course to win the Bundesliga title so that was understandable.
But given the gulf between most Premier League and German sides, many West Ham fans felt their side were being written off too soon.
Hammers made big underdogs for Leverkusen tie
There has been much debate about whether it would be better or worse if Leverkusen were to maintain their unbeaten record ahead of facing David Moyes’ side.
There was a feeling West Ham could rise to the occasion of being the first to inflict defeat on the German title favourites.
And a European football expert suggested West Ham could play Leverkusen at the perfect time.
Well now it’s the Bayer Leverkusen news that so many wanted as West Ham look to beat the unbeatable.
Invincibles slayers carrot still dangles
Because the Germans will go into the first leg still unbeaten after an incredible 41 games.
That’s after they secured a 1-0 win away at Union Berlin – who were down to 10 men for an entire half.
So West Ham’s carrot of being the slayers of the invincibles still dangles tantalisingly.
Qarabag have already showed West Ham that Leverkusen can be got at defensively by scoring four goals against them over two legs in the last round.
The Azerbaijani side came within minutes of knocking West Ham’s last eight opponents out.
And – ironically – Freiburg also showed Leverkusen can be got at when they got two goals against them in a 3-2 defeat just days after being smashed 5-0 by the Hammers.
Yes it is daunting facing a team unbeaten in 41 games.
Records are there to be broken
But records are there to be broken. And historically West Ham relish situations like this.
Despite having the luxury of almost being home and hosed for the title, it has also been a relentless campaign for Alonso’s men.
If West Ham can keep things tight and get a positive result in Germany on Thursday then there is no reason Moyes’ side cannot make home advantage count at the London Stadium a week later.
Had Leverkusen lost before facing the Hammers they could have been like a wounded animal.
Instead the pressure on their shoulders to maintain their unbeaten run when it matters most – against a much higher quality side than they are used to facing – ramps up even further.
