The selection of AZ Under-19 finished a relaxed final training towards the match against FC Barcelona. After the warm-up, a pass and pedal exercise and a position game, the players enjoyed themselves with a finishing exercise. The players fool a little. “I think if I speak for myself the tension will come tomorrow,” says AZ player Elijah Dijkstra. “I think everyone is just looking forward to it.”
AZ Under-19 will play the semi-final of the Youth League against FC Barcelona tomorrow night. The other semi -final goes between RB Salzburg and Trabzonspor. The winners will play the final of the Youth League on Monday in Nyon, Switzerland. “Yes, it is an expensive country, but also a beautiful country. With the mountains, and so on. They could have learned a little better English,” jokes the smiling wing defender.
‘A unique feeling’
Coach Michael van Zijtveld also notes this ‘nice feeling’ and certainly not just with his own players. The four teams are in the same hotel. Yet in this ‘nicely decorated’ hotel the tension is also slowly but surely. “The boys have energy, but can’t do that yet. They really feel like playing these matches.”
“This group is busy with each other every day to push each other to larger heights. They demand a lot from each other, but are also very nice together,” Van Zijtveld describes his boys from the Under-19. “They are all guys who come from our youth team. They are all born in and around Alkmaar. They are now playing this game together. That is a unique feeling.”
Tomorrow evening at 6 pm the semi-final against the Under-19 of FC Barcelona can be followed here on NH.