Goalkeeper Łukasz Fabiański returns to the starting line-up for West Ham United’s UEFA Europa League last-16 first leg against SC Freiburg, replacing Saturday’s 3-1 Premier League win over Everton.
The 38-year-old replaces Alphonse Areola in his 15th game of the season and sixth in the Europa League, where he has so far been instrumental in the Hammers’ good fortunes.
His five appearances at organisational level have earned him three blank slates, against Olympiacos, FK TSC and, most recently, at home against the warring German sides in Freiburg, and the Pole will need to bring some other important characteristics to help his team take the lead. at London. Stadium next week.
Up front, Fabiański, Vladimír Coufal and Emerson start at right-back and left-back respectively, along with captain Kurt Zouma and Dinos Mavropanos in central defence.
In midfield, Mexican foreigner Edson Alvarez will mirror his goalscoring form from the last time the Irons faced Freiburg in December, as well as the last time against Everton when he scored for the first time in the Premier League.
Alvarez joins in midfield through Tomáš Souček, who also scored a very good goal against the Toffees at the weekend, and James Ward-Prowse, who provided four assists at organisational level but is still waiting for his first goal in the competition.
Lucas Paquetá and Mohammed Kudus scored against Freiburg earlier this season and return to attack, along with England foreigner Jarrod Bowen, who currently has 17 goals in all competitions in 2023/24.
A bigger bench for the inclusion of teenagers Joseph Anang, Kaelan Casey, George Earthy, Lewis Orford and Divin Mubama in the line-up of the day, with Anang, Earthy and Orford yet to make their West Ham debuts.
Other alternates include Areola, Ben Johnson, Angelo Ogbonna, Aaron Cresswell, Kalvin Phillips, Danny Ings and Michail Antonio.
Referee: Alejandro Hernández (ESP)
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