West Ham have drawn Bayer Leverkusen in the Europa League quarter-final
Sat 23 March 2024 14:40, UK
Bayer Leverkusen goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky is particularly looking forward to hearing West Ham fans sing the club anthem ahead of their upcoming clash.
Bundesliga leaders Bayer and seventh-place Premier League side West Ham face off over two legs in the quarter-finals of the Europa League next month.
The home fans will get fully behind their side at a sold-out London Stadium, where 'I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles' will belt out before, during and hopefully after the contest.
Speaking via The Sun [23 March, page 65], Hradecky said: "They beat a German team twice in the group phase and a Premier League team in the top 10 are always dangerous.
"It's my first club game on English soil but I'm looking forward to the atmosphere and hearing 'Bubbles'."
West Ham v Bayern Leverkusen could be special night For all the previous reservations regarding London Stadium, there have been some incredible atmospheres at the ground in recent years - not least for big European games.
And this contest very much fits into that category. Leverkusen are unbeaten in all competitions this season and are about to end Bayern Munich's stranglehold on the Bundesliga title.
It should be a special atmosphere at London Stadium when West Ham United host Bayer Leverkusen Xabi Alonso's men are second favourites to win the Europa League behind only Liverpool, so this will of course be a massive task for the Irons if they are to progress.
Join the West Ham Zone WhatsApp channel to get all our exclusives and the breaking transfer news FIRST.
With the second leg on home soil, though, there is no reason to fear the German side. As long as the first leg does not go horribly wrong, the West Ham fans will be fully behind their side.
This has all the ingredients for a potential classic. Hradecky in the Leverkusen goal will not be disappointed by the atmosphere.
In other West Ham news, a source has spoken out after the shambolic scenes witnessed last weekend.