Lukasz Fabianski has urged the London Stadium crowd to help create another “special, magical” night as West Ham seek to pull off a famous European comeback on Thursday.
The Hammers are 2-0 down to Bayer Leverkusen heading into the second leg of their Europa League quarter-final tie and must do what no side has so far managed in 43 matches across all competitions this season by beating the newly-crowned Bundesliga champions to have a chance of reaching the last four.
“It’s a nice challenge to have, obviously a very demanding challenge,” goalkeeper Fabianski said. “But we have to believe. There’s no other way to look at the situation.
“They’re obviously in a very strong position when it comes to their confidence as a team, unbeaten in the league and already crowned champions.
“When it comes to European nights, [our fans] have always been there with us, always been able to create something special, something magical. From our side, we’ll do our best to make sure we deliver a good performance and then who knows what can happen?”
As David Moyes’s first-choice goalkeeper until the start of this season, Fabianski has watched much of West Ham’s recent European success from the bench, with No2 Alphonse Areola playing in the cup competitions.
This term, however, their roles have been reversed, Fabianski at last getting a taste of knockout action. And while the former Polish international turns 39 on Thursday, he insists the contest with Leverkusen will not be a European swan song - even if the Irons go out.
“I’m getting older but at the same time I feel really good, physically and mentally,” he added. “I believe I’m in really good shape and I’m in a good place when it comes to the team. Hopefully, there’ll be a few more special occasions in my career.”
West Ham are without Lucas Paqueta and Emerson because of suspension on Thursday, while George Earthy and Konstantinos Mavropanos are injured, but Jarrod Bowen and Kalvin Phillips are both back in contention.
