Very convincing and with excellent football, AZ won 6-1 against Vitesse. As a result, the Alkmaarders are assured of European football next season. In the first half Vangelis Pavlidis, Tijjani Reijnders and Dani de Wit already gave AZ a comfortable lead and after the break Reijnders and Jesper Karlsson were the scorers again.
After the honorary lap of the departing Teun Koopmeiners, AZ eagerly started the return of the final of the play-offs. AZ had to undo a 2-1 deficit and after three minutes Vangelis Pavlidis was the end station after an excellent attack. A nice through pass from Jesper Karlsson to Jordy Clasie and the midfielder served the Greek striker to measure: 1-0.
Reijnders
Without the injured players Owen Wijndal and Fredrik Midtsjø, AZ clearly showed that they still believed in the last European ticket. After Pavlidis’ opening goals, it took ten minutes for AZ to double their lead. Tijjani Reijnders fired successfully at the Arnhem target from a great distance.
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Then it rained chances for AZ. Reijnders, in particular, had a number of opportunities. In the end it was Dani de Wit who scored. That happened after a sublime attack by the Alkmaarders. In the second half, AZ continued calmly as it had ended in the first half. In the 53rd minute, Reijnders made his second of the afternoon and put the score 4-0.
Party
The large lead led to a small party in the AZ stadium. Where this season it was often quiet and a bit lacking in atmosphere in Alkmaar, an excellent entourage reigned on Sunday afternoon. From the stands it regularly sounded ‘We are entering Europe’. In which even the Vitesse supporters participated in a very sporty way. That in turn led to appreciation and applause from the AZ supporters.
Karlsson
The Alkmaar final offensive came from the feet of Jesper Karlsson. The Swede curled in a free kick. Just before time, Karlsson determined the final score at 6-1. In between, Riechedly Bazoer made the honorary goal for Vitesse from a free kick.
After a short holiday, AZ will start the new European campaign in mid-July. The Alkmaarders then enter the second preliminary round of the Conference League.
AZ setup: Vindahl; Beukema, Hatzidiakos (Sugawara/80, Martins Indi, Kerkez (Dekker/90); Clasie (Koopmeiners/46), Reijnders, De Wit; Evjen (Buurmeester/90), Pavlidis (Aboukhlal/67), Karlsson