Breaking News: West Ham manager David Moyes revealed that Lucas Paqueta was substituted off against SC Freiburg because he felt the start of an injury strain in the first half. Moyes also discussed other players and the team’s other injuries.
James Ward-Prowse replaced the Brazilian, who rushed off the field, hurling his strapping onto the ground, sitting on the bench, and making his way through the tunnel. After nine minutes, the 26-year-old scored the first goal and took the lead in the Hammers’ early play.
“He had an injury in the first half and I was going to take him off at half time,” Moyes stated in a post-game interview. He wanted to continue after the half, but I thought we had already won, so I didn’t see the need to put him at risk for Sunday’s match.”I had to be sure that his injury would not worsen. It’s wonderful that they dislike being taken off. It conveys to you their slight concern.”
This season, West Ham has occasionally had to play without their main player because of injury concerns. Between January and February, Paqueta missed six straight Premier League games while recovering from a calf injury.
In addition, Moyes praised his team, especially star player Mohammed Kudus, who scored a thrilling brace in the second half to secure the team’s trip to the Europa League quarterfinals.
“Very happy with the objectives and the caliber of the performance,” he stated. We were not happy at all after the first game. We felt that the outcome we got wasn’t what we should have, but we had to accept it and work to make things right, which is what we succeeded in doing tonight.
“I used to see dribbling wingers who would run with snaky hips and find a way through opponents.” Tonight’s performance by Kudus reminded me a bit of that. It was an excellent personal objective.”