West Ham United’s Areola relishing European challenge

West Ham United’s Alphonse Areola says there is nothing better than competing in Europe, as they bid to reach the Conference League final on Thursday.

The Hammers head to AZ Alkmaar for the second leg of their semi-final, having come from behind to win 2-1 at London Stadium last week.

And French goalkeeper Areola is determined to help the club reach its first major European final in 47 years, having gone so close 12 months ago.

“I have always loved competing in Europe,” Areola told whufc.com, after a much-changed side lost 2-0 at Brentford in the Premier League on Sunday.

“Of course, it’s a different degree of visibility to the Premier League, which is very widely followed.

“But Europe is also very important. At the European level, there is nothing better than playing in these competitions. Last season, we made it to the semi-final of the UEFA Europa League.

“We had a good campaign, and it went very well. We hoped for a little more but, all in all, we managed to play well and show our worth in Europe.

“This year, we have shown that same dynamic. We’ve had a good winning streak, so it’s up to us to continue that streak [and reach the final].”

Areola won five League titles, two national cups and five other trophies during spells at Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain, as well as a World Cup winner’s medal with France in 2018.

And although beaten by Tijjani Reijnders in Stratford, he saw Said Benrahma level from the penalty spot and Michail Antonio’s close-range finish seal victory to make it 13 games unbeaten in the competition.

Areola produced a key save to deny Fabio Silva in the 1-0 win at Anderlecht, having thwarted Youssef En-Nesyri in the Europa League quarter-final win over Sevilla last season.

And he is ready to stand tall against the Dutch, adding: “We prepare for it all week: every detail, every little thing, every movement, all week long. When you get to the match, you’re ready. You know how to handle every situation.

“In general, when it’s game time, our mind is ready. We’re ready because we’ve been doing this preparation work all through the week, with the other goalkeepers and with Xavi [Valero, the first-team goalkeeping coach]. 

“There’s lots of preparation at a physical and mental level, and so when we get in the dressing room, we know what we have to do.

“The most important thing is personality because [as a goalkeeper] you’re on your own and you have to make decisions.

“You have to be mentally strong, and you have to make decisions very quickly. Things happen, and within a second, within a fraction of a second, you have to react well.”