West Ham's Europa League meeting with Lyon is nicely poised after the first leg finished 1-1 in east London; Michail Antonio: "We have had knockbacks but always come back. The boys are buzzing, we are buzzing and the way things are going now we are going to win it. We are in it to win it."
Thursday 14 April 2022 19:51, UK
If you translate Lyon into English it means "fierce brave warrior". Fitting, then, that this city is staging one of the biggest games in West Ham's history. It's what the club have built their season on, it's how they got to this defining moment. It's rare in top-level sport you are given a second chance but here in France West Ham have just that.
"When things don't go your way you either fold or fight on," Michail Antonio said after West Ham played the second half with 10 men and held on for a 1-1 draw in the first leg of their quarter-final with Lyon. "We're coming out swinging and getting that W."
The club has shown huge resilience as they balanced their Premier League aspirations with European ambitions this season, and when it comes to tenacity and persistence Antonio is the poster boy. It's been a long journey from non-League football to a Europa League quarter-final, and he isn't about to let this moment pass.
"We have had knockbacks but always come back. The boys are buzzing, we are buzzing and the way things are going now we are going [there] to win it. We are in it to win it."
Antonio exudes supreme confidence, a strong belief that West Ham can turn a great season into something truly special. To do it they may well need him to rediscover his form in front of goal. He's only managed two goals for West Ham this year, and though he admits to being disappointed, he can't lose sight of the bigger picture.
"It's the longest streak in my career. One thing about football is, it is not about you personally. It is about being a team player. I definitely believe I am doing that, I am bringing the team together, the team is playing off me and I am bringing the team in and assisting in goals."
The striker has teased that should he end that drought then expect something special. He wouldn't confirm or deny if he packed a cardboard cut out of himself, but this is a man who has served up the worm, the Homer Simpson and even roped in Jamie Carragher and Gary Neville. What could possibly be next?
"I work quite hard on the celebrations. I do look at YouTube and think about what might go viral. Some things I have to practise, like the worm - I remember I could do it when I was younger so I was practising in the hotel room and hope it works out on the day."
David Moyes didn't look overly impressed as he listened in during the press conference, but you suspect he'd be one of the first to congratulate Antonio if he scores. He knows it has been a long tough season for his striker and his whole squad. He also knows if they can take the belief and form of the first weeks and months, from victories against the likes of Chelsea, Tottenham and Liverpool, and match the intensity and performance level of the comeback against Sevilla, then this European adventure isn't finished yet.
Learning from the first leg will also be key. Lyon frustrated West Ham, slowed the game and were street smart. The wink from Moussa Dembele after Aaron Cresswell was sent off was a harsh reminder of that, but the team have set about learning from the experience and are positive they will put that right.
"We will take in the first 15 minutes, judge how they play and go from there." Antonio laughed off the notion that there will be more of an edge and a bit of niggle because of how the first leg played out, but this is a quarter-final. Of course it is big.
Antonio was asked about his French-speaking skills. "Absolutely none," he grinned. But he added: "I do know a little bit of Spanish but that doesn't work out here."
It might not but if Antonio and West Ham can produce another thrilling display against Lyon then he might yet get to show it off. There is a final in Seville after all.
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