For a moment, storm Benjamin seemed to throw a spanner in the works for the match between AZ and Slovan Bratislava, but fortunately all lights are now green. The Conference League match, which was actually supposed to start at 9 p.m., will start tonight at 6.45 p.m.
We will keep you informed of everything about tonight’s match via this live blog.
AZ – Slovan Bratislava: 1-0
The referee whistles for the end of the match. AZ had countless chances, but only won 1-0.
We have started injury time. At AZ, Kees Smit has left and been replaced by Dave Kwakman.
AZ is doing everything it can to decide the match definitively. The liberating second goal is still waiting. Slovan Bratislava, on the other hand, is hardly dangerous, but continues to lurk on the counter.
Troy Parrott also heads the ball onto the post from a cross from the right. What bad luck for the substitute Ireland international.
Peer Koopmeiners comes through well and can score from the edge of the penalty area. Koopmeiners’ attempt with the right goes a few centimeters wide of the wrong side of the post.
Denso Kasius has broken through again on the right flank, cuts inside and takes a swing. The goalkeeper cannot handle Kasius’ shot properly and the ball ends up straight at Sadiq’s feet. The attacker takes a swing, but shoots straight at the goalkeeper.
It is Sadiq’s last ball contact of this match. Troy Parrott comes in for Sadiq.
Sven Mijnans is allowed to take a free kick approximately 18 meters from the goal. The scorer curls the ball beautifully towards the intersection, but the goalkeeper of Slovan Bratislava gets a hand on it.
AZ and Slovan Bratislava both made no substitutions at halftime.
It is still raining in Alkmaar, but the strong wind has largely decreased.
The referee is called aside by the VAR. After viewing the images, the ball hits the spot. Former Vitesse player Guram Kashia has hit the ball with his hand.
Sven Mijnans can score from eleven meters for his second goal of the match. The AZ captain shoots far too weakly and the goalkeeper is in the right angle. So it remains 1-0 for AZ.
Ibrahim Sadiq has moved to the left side and strikes with his right. The shot from AZ’s occasional striker explodes onto the crossbar.
Then there is AZ’s more than deserved opening goal. Sven Mijnans hits the target after a cross from Denso Kasius. AZ takes a 1-0 lead.
Slovan Bratislava gets help from the crossbar this time. Weslley Patati brilliantly drives the ball over the goalkeeper from a difficult angle, but it hits the aluminum.
In addition, a potential penalty for AZ is still being considered. The VAR looks at it, but decides that there is nothing wrong.
AZ gets one good opportunity after another. Now goalkeeper Dominik Takac of Slovan Bratislava has a nice answer to a long shot from Ibrahim Sadiq. In the second instance, Sven Mijnans gets the ball at his feet, but Mijnans’ bet is cleared off the line.
It can’t be long before AZ scores.
A deflected corner ends up at the feet of Peer Koopmeiners. The midfielder from Castricum blasts the ball high over the goal. More could have lived there.
In the next attack, Sven Mijnans can almost work the ball in after a good cross from Denso Kasius. The goalkeeper of Slovan Bratislava miraculously keeps the ball out of the goal.
AZ is emphatically looking for the opening goal.
The AZ goalkeeper sees that Kyriakos Savvidis appears in front of him. Owusu-Oduro makes a good save and prevents Slovan Bratislava’s goal.
Ibrahim Sadiq, who is at the point of AZ’s attack tonight, receives the ball from Weslley Patati at the corner of the penalty area. Sadiq’s shot hits the goalkeeper’s fists.
Sven Mijnans is sent deep and heads for the enemy goal alone. The AZ captain just cannot get the ball past the outcoming goalkeeper of Slovan Bratislava.
The match between AZ and Slovan Bratislava in the Conference League has started.
Almost all Slovak supporters are heading to the stadium. A last tuft of hair shelters from the rain and wind while waiting for the last bus that takes them to the AZ stadium.