Jordy Clasie was missing from AZ due to a suspension. He was replaced in midfield by Thiago Dantas. Sven Mijnans was again posted as right winger. Riechedly Bazoer returned to coach Maarten Martens’ team.
Although the match had to get going a bit, the gate was closed after thirteen minutes. Dani de Wit was able to head the ball in from a corner kick, making it 1-0. It was the start of a rain of goals in the first half. Two minutes later, Vangelis Pavlidis cleverly tapped in the 2-0 at the first post, making his 50th goal for AZ. Sven Mijnans made it 3-0 within half an hour and the match was quickly decided.
A big score seemed to be in the making in Alkmaar. Thiago Dantas rammed the ball against the crossbar after a clever individual action. On the stroke of half time, the crowd took to the benches twice. De Wit headed in, but it was already offside before that and Mijnans also seemed to score, but after VAR intervention he also turned out to be offside.
Carembole
In the second half, AZ took things a little easier. The loot for the Alkmaarders had been received. In the 72nd minute, Mijnans scored his second of the afternoon. He seemed unable to reach the ball from a cross, but while falling he still tapped the ball behind goalkeeper Van Gassel. Just before the end, the fifth goal also seemed to be in the making, but a carembole in front of the goal was eventually cleared off the line by Excelsior.
After the victory, AZ puts the pressure back on Ajax. The Alkmaarders are now seven points ahead and so Ajax must win to stay in the fight for fourth place. The Amsterdam team will play against Fortuna Sittard at 2:30 PM.
AZ setup: Ryan; Sugawara, Goes, Bazoer, Moller Wolfe (M. De Wit/60); Dantas, Belic, D. De Wit; Mijnans, Pavlidis, Van Bommel (Van Brederode/60)