In the wake of West Ham’s impressive victory over Freiburg, David Moyes had high praise for Lucas Paqueta, who once again shone as a star player for the Hammers, relays the Hammer.News. The Brazilian maestro played a pivotal role in West Ham’s 2-1 win, leaving Moyes in awe of his talismanic performance.
If anyone needed proof of West Ham’s transformation under David Moyes, they need only look back 18 months to their European endeavors. The Hammers’ inexperience on the continental stage was evident when they faced Eintracht Frankfurt in the fiery Europa League semi-finals in 2022, resulting in defeat.
Fast forward to the present, and West Ham’s return to Germany to face Freiburg showcased their remarkable evolution. The Hammers resembled a seasoned European outfit, securing a 2-1 victory. This triumph extended West Ham’s unbeaten run in European matches to an impressive 17 games, setting a new English record.
Lucas Paqueta and Nayef Aguerd found the net, contributing to West Ham’s remarkable record of scoring in all 17 of those matches, with 16 of them ending in victory. In fact, West Ham has only suffered four defeats in their last 29 European games over the past two campaigns, with one of those losses coming in a meaningless match in which Moyes fielded a youthful lineup.
Among the standout performers in this journey between the Frankfurt and Freiburg encounters is Lucas Paqueta. The Brazilian midfielder has elevated the Hammers to new heights with his performances. Once again, he took center stage as West Ham produced a scintillating 30 minutes of football that left fans in awe.
Paqueta’s display demonstrated his versatility, combining hard work with sublime skills. To cap it off, he scored a goal that even former West Ham star Andy Carroll would be proud of. Moyes, known for being demanding, acknowledged Paqueta’s impact on the team.
“Lucas was terrific tonight,” Moyes commented on the club’s official website. “You can be pulling your hair out at times, with some of the things he does, but let’s be fair we can all stand back and admire someone who has got terrific strength, great ball control, skills with the ball, wants to make risky passes, wants to try things.”
Moyes recognized Paqueta’s incredible talent and the positive influence he has on the team. With this performance marking his 50th appearance for West Ham, Paqueta’s influence on the squad is undeniable.
As West Ham continues its European journey under the guidance of Moyes, Lucas Paqueta’s contributions will undoubtedly play a crucial role in the club’s aspirations for success on both domestic and continental fronts.