AZ Alkmaar Faces High-Stakes Spring: Conference League Quarterfinals and Cup Final Loom

AZ Alkmaar has entered a defining stretch of its season, positioning itself as the sole remaining Dutch representative in European competition while preparing for a domestic trophy hunt. The club is navigating a grueling schedule that pairs a high-pressure Conference League quarterfinal with a looming KNVB Cup final, all while battling a significant injury crisis in the squad.

For the Alkmaar-based side, the next few weeks represent a rare opportunity to secure both international prestige and domestic silverware. However, the path to success requires navigating a complex tactical puzzle and a challenging travel itinerary.

The European Push: Quarterfinals in Krakow

AZ is currently preparing for a critical clash in the Conference League quarterfinals against Shakhtar Donetsk. The matchup carries additional weight as AZ is the last Dutch club left in the competition, placing the burden of national pride on their shoulders.

The logistics of the tie are unusual. Due to the ongoing war in Ukraine, Shakhtar Donetsk is unable to host matches in their home country. The “away” leg will take place in Krakow, Poland. This displacement creates a unique dynamic. while Shakhtar loses the advantage of their own crowd, AZ must deal with the fatigue of a long bus journey to the Polish city.

Despite these hurdles, AZ left-back Mees de Wit believes the situation could work in their favor, noting that the lack of a true home crowd for the Ukrainian side provides a strategic opening for the Dutch club.

The Injury Puzzle and Tactical Confidence

The timing of this intensive period is far from ideal. Trainer Leeroy Echteld is facing a depleted roster, with three pivotal players ruled out for the upcoming trip to Poland. Peer Koopmeiners, Jordy Clasie, and Denso Kasius are all sidelined with injuries.

The loss of Koopmeiners is particularly glaring. Echteld has described Koopmeiners as a “rock in the branding,” providing the essential stability and corrective leadership needed to balance a squad full of “frivolous” or creative players. Without his ability to identify and fix errors on the fly, Echteld must uncover a way to maintain defensive discipline in Krakow.

Despite these absences, Echteld remains resolute. When asked who the favorite is to emerge victorious from the quarterfinal, his response was definitive: “We, of course.”

Domestic Ambitions: The Cup Final vs. NEC

While the European dream remains alive, the domestic calendar provides a concrete target. AZ is scheduled to face NEC in the cup final on Sunday, April 19. This creates a precarious balancing act for the coaching staff, who must manage player fatigue and rotation to ensure they are peak for both the European tie and the final.

Echteld has admitted that the upcoming weeks are “best a puzzle.” The objective is to maintain a clear vision of the “end picture” for the cup final without sacrificing the intensity required to reach the Conference League semifinals.

The Zeeman Era: From Cycling to Football

Overseeing this critical period is General Director Merijn Zeeman, who took the helm at AZ on December 1, 2024. Zeeman’s appointment marked a significant shift in leadership for the club, as he succeeded Toon Gerbrands and Robert Eenhoorn—figures Zeeman credits with bringing stability to the club following the Dirk Scheringa era.

Zeeman brings a non-traditional background to football management. He spent 16 years in professional cycling, most notably serving as the Sporting Director for Team Visma-Lease a Bike. During his tenure in cycling, Zeeman helped transform the team from bottom-tier World Tour finishers in 2016 to the best team in the world, culminating in a Tour de France victory in 2022.

Now applying those high-performance principles to the Eredivisie, Zeeman has emphasized a strategy of “outsmarting the opposition.” He is focused on growing AZ’s capabilities without relying solely on financial spending, acknowledging the contrast between the unlimited resources of world-class cycling teams and the budget constraints of a club that consistently punches above its weight in the Netherlands.

As the club prepares for these “gorgeous, intensive weeks,” the focus remains on whether Leeroy Echteld’s tactical flexibility can overcome the loss of key personnel. With a cup final and a European semifinal within reach, AZ Alkmaar is playing for a season-defining legacy.

The next confirmed checkpoint for the club is the quarterfinal away leg against Shakhtar Donetsk in Poland, followed by the cup final against NEC on April 19.