Although AZ fans had still hoped for reinforcements, it remained quiet in Alkmaar late in the evening. The move had already been made on Deadline Day with the arrival of Lequincio Zeefuik and the rental of Jens Odgaard. “There is now a selection that is ready for the rest of the season,” says coach Maarten Martens at the closing press moment.
AZ coach Maarten Martens discusses the transfer period – NH Sport / Stephan Brandhorst
At the New Year’s reception, Max Huiberts, director of football affairs at AZ, announced that there is too broad a selection. After the departure of Jens Odgaard (Bologna), Djordje Mihailovic (Colorado Rapids), Kenzo Goudmijn (Excelsior) and Mexx Meerdink (Vitesse), the midfield has thinned out somewhat. On the other hand, there was the arrival of Gonçalo Esteves (Sporting CP), Lequincio Zeefuik (FC Volendam) and Kristijan Belic (Partizan Belgrade). “There is a lot of competition and the boys have to earn their place,” says Martens.
Doubts
AZ is currently not in the best shape, but they do have two meetings with Feyenoord to choose from. The national champion will come to Alkmaar on Sunday afternoon and Martens hopes that his team can show their conviction. “We shouldn’t doubt too much, because we still change our feelings too often. We have to be convinced that we can really be good.”
“We have shown resilience twice, but that does not mean that we have received a boost”
Since Pascal Jansen was fired and Martens took over, the results at AZ have not yet visibly improved. In both cases, a point was achieved with pain and difficulty against PEC Zwolle (2-2) and SC Heerenveen (2-2). “We have shown resilience twice, but that does not mean that we have received a boost in confidence.”
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Martens: “We have had a more turbulent period” – NH Sport / Stephan Brandhorst
Earlier this season, AZ lost 1-0 to Feyenoord in De Kuip. In that match, the Alkmaarders did not produce a single shot on target. An annoying statistic, which indicates that the Rotterdam team is in a good position defensively, but also that AZ was unable to make any progress offensively. “That was a difficult match.”
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AZ produced 0 shots on target in the last match against Feyenoord – NH Sport / Stephan Brandhorst
AZ can play against Feyenoord do not have Denso Kasius. The full-back has been suspended for two matches due to the red card he received against SC Heerenveen (2-2). AZ can still appeal against this, but coach Martens does not count on Kasius.
Furthermore, he does not yet have access to Bruno Martins Indi and Lewis Schouten. Goalkeepers Hobie Verhulst and Sem Westerveld are also still injured. Mathew Ryan and Yukinari Sugawara are still at the Asia Cup.
The AZ – Feyenoord match starts on Sunday at 2:30 PM in Alkmaar.