Ogbonna: We cannot fail at home in front of our fans

Angelo Ogbonna

 

When it comes to experience, few members of the current West Ham United squad have more than Angelo Ogbonna.

The centre-back, who turns 31 in May, has played in the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, Premier League, Serie A and UEFA European Championship finals and travelled with his country, Italy, to the FIFA World Cup.

With well over 350 senior club appearances and 13 international caps to his name, Ogbonna won promotion with Torino before winning two Serie A titles, the Italian Cup and Super Cup with Juventus.

After being part of the Old Lady’s squad for the 2015 UEFA Champions League final defeat by Barcelona, the defender decided to continue his football adventure with West Ham United.

Since then, the Cassino-born player has made 121 appearances, scored six memorable goals and played his part in the Hammers’ history at both the Boleyn Ground and London Stadium. 

Despite having enjoyed and endured so much on the pitch, the quietly-spoken star still harbours ambitions to achieve more, with his immediate target to help West Ham return to winning ways at home to Huddersfield Town this afternoon.

We play at home and we cannot fail at home in front of our fans. We can’t make the same mistakes like we did last weekend

Angelo Ogbonna

“It’s very important that we win the game,” he confirmed. “It’s not an easy game, we can’t start like we did in the last game [at Cardiff City, where we conceded within five minutes and lost 2-0]. The Premier League is like that, you can’t just relax because they are at the bottom of the table. We have to fight and try to get the three points.

“I think we need to be concentrated and focused. We play at home and we cannot fail at home in front of our fans. We can’t make the same mistakes like we did last weekend.

“I don’t think there’s added pressure playing the team at the bottom, but we have to be confident and not make the same mistakes. When you play against teams at the bottom, you can’t relax. That can never happen and maybe that’s where mistakes come.”

 

Angelo Ogbonna

 

Order your Official Programme now!

To read Angelo's full interview and much, much more exclusive content, download or purchase Saturday's 100-page Official Programme.

The print edition will be available to buy in and around the London Stadium on matchday and can be ordered online here.

The Digital Official Programme is available to download to your iPad or iPhone, Android devices, PC and Mac and via the Pocketmags app on kindle fire and Blackberry Playbook from 9am on matchday.

Whether you live overseas or just want to consume your content on the way to London Stadium, that means you can download your Digital Programme before kick-off, with the game being televised live in a large number of countries across the world.

 

Ticket Exchange