At My Best | Ben Johnson on compliments and lessons in Sevilla defeat

Drawing against the, at that time, six-time UEFA Cup winners was West Ham’s reward for a successful Group H campaign. 

Four wins from six group stage matches against the likes of Dinamo Zagreb, Rapid Wien and KRC Genk put the Irons straight through to the group stages.

Second-placed Zagreb went into the knockout round play-offs, where they were beaten by Sevilla, setting up a round of 16 clash between the Irons and the Spanish side.

For Johnson, though, the opponent did not matter. That he was trusted to play in such a match, getting the nod at full-back, gave him the confidence to perform.

“It’s almost a cliché to say but I feel like there was something in the air in the sense that it wouldn’t have mattered who we drew at that stage of the competition, because we genuinely thought we could beat anyone. Maybe that’s a bit of a fantasy or even some naivety, given it was our first season in Europe, but that’s how we felt. 

“I think we proved something though because after Sevilla we obviously played Lyon in the quarter-finals and there was a chance we could play Barcelona in the semi-finals, which I don’t mind saying now was a fixture we all wanted to play just to see how we stacked up against them.

“We weren’t worried about any teams in Europe. We were just thinking about us and what we can do, and that can make you a dangerous opponent for any other side.

“Yes, we’re talking about a big opponent and a big occasion, but ultimately it’s still just eleven versus eleven. We’re all on the pitch in those sorts of matches because we’re good players who can perform at that level. The quality of both teams made both of those matches against Sevilla really good games. It’s always great to play against the best opponents possible and the best players. You know it will be a test and it gives you a boost to be trusted in those matches.”