With Bayer Leverkusen facing West Ham in the Europa League quarterfinals this week, the German media managed to speak to Hammers director Tim Steidten about the clash.
The club chief, who used to work for the Bundesliga side, did not hide his opinion on which a better structured club right now.
Quoted by TZ, Steidten admitted that Bayer Leverkusen currently stand a few steps ahead of West Ham.
“We will give it our all and a lot can happen in two games. But if you look at the squad, they are simply ahead of us,” he said.
Steidten also claimed that Bayer Leverkusen were one of the two clubs who he really didn’t want West Ham to get in the draw.
“When the draw was made, I thought: Please not Leverkusen and not Liverpool. I would have preferred to meet them in the final.”
Regarding the great campaign that Xabi Alonso’s side have been having in the Bundesliga, Steidten is happy at having played some part in that.
“I am proud that I was able to contribute to what is currently happening.”
West Ham and Bayer Leverkusen are playing their quarterfinal first leg in Germany on Thursday evening, and then face each other again a week later in London.
Even though the German side’s current form in the Bundesliga surely gives them high morale ahead of the clash, the Conference League title last season will also give West Ham some respect ahead of a decisive European tie.
