AZ was defeated (1-0) in the third preliminary round of the Conference League. In the first game against the Scottish Dundee United, the Alkmaarders were powerless. AZ now has to avoid an early and disastrous elimination in Europe in a week at home.
By Nik Kok
In the antique but packed typical British Tannadice Park in Scotland, AZ missed a large number of basic players. For example, last season’s designer Jesper Karlsson was not there yet, just like Yukinari Sugawra, and the brand new acquisition Riechedly Bazoer was also missing.
Another purchase, Jens Odgaard was also absent. He was still important in the previous round. when AZ effortlessly dealt with the Bosnian Tuzla City and was greatly missed in Scotland. It was not as easy as in Bosnia and Herzegovina in any case for the number five in the Eredivisie last season.
‘Not good enough’
,,It is clear that we were not good enough tonight. Many players were below par, including myself,” said Dani de Wit to Veronica afterwards. ,,Then you can also have a hard time against Dundee and that was the case. We have a lot of qualities to beat opponents like this, but unfortunately that didn’t work out. That’s disappointing, but this was only the first half. We have to do it next week”
Captain Bruno Martins Indi was also optimistic. “We’re still getting them home. I have to say that the goal against was quite unnecessary. But if we just stay very calm, and do everything technically well, you can get good opportunities. We take that with us to the return.”
Hardly any chances
For example, AZ created hardly any chances in the first half and the Alkmaarders had to struggle a few days before the start of the Eredivisie with the robust Scots who know their stuff. And also played a bit of football.
For example, the most agile player on the Dundee side was striker Tony Watt, who ever scored for Celtic in the Champions League against FC Barcelona and thus achieved eternal fame. It says something about the status of AZ’s opponent, who is especially happy to finally be able to participate in qualifying matches for a European tournament.
Doubts about shape AZ
Whether this participation is short or long-term will depend on the current form of AZ, about which there are still some doubts. Newcomer Mayckel Lahdo, who still scored in the previous round against Tuzla City, lost the ball up front during his first starting position. The AZ midfielders could hardly make a mark on the game and even swallowed a goal from Glenn Middleton in the second half.
On Sunday afternoon at a quarter to five, the Alkmaarders start the Eredivisie with a home game against Go Ahead Eagles. AZ hopes to have the necessary players again the following Thursday at the return against Dundee to be able to reach the play-offs. Otherwise, the start of the season for the Alkmaarders will be a very disappointing exercise and the intended route to the main tournament of a European tournament, in which AZ has participated so often in recent years, is very quickly broken.
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