Welcome to our live blog! There is a lot at stake for AZ and Ajax in the Europa League tonight. The two North Holland clubs can ensure themselves of the next round in Europe. You can read whether that works in our live blog. Tips or questions? Email to [email protected].
Final score: AZ – AS Roma (1-0)
Final score: FC RFS – Ajax (1-0)
AZ has climbed over Ajax in the Europa League rankings. The Alkmaarders are now 14th and are certain of the intermediate round. The Amsterdam team is in 16th position.
Incredible! Ajax loses to RFS on a visit to Latvia. The club that has never won in Europe. A historical disgrace for the people of Amsterdam.
Just like in the first half, Kian Fitz-Jim has the ball to shoot in, but the midfielder fails. This would have allowed him to make up for his mistake when conceding.
The first opportunity for RFS is an instant hit. Ajax fell behind just before time. Adam Markhiyev’s Latvian goal came after Kian Fitz-Jim lost the ball.
A chance for Wout Weghorst. The tall striker heads the ball towards the Latvian goal. But this is an easy catch for Fabrice Ondoa, the cousin of former Ajax player André Onana.
Mika Godts leaves the field and Chuba Akpom takes his place.
Ajax came very close to taking the lead against RFS. Josip Sutalo seems to head in the 0-1 from a corner kick, but a Latvian player makes a good save on the effort of Ajax’s Croatian defender. There was some doubt as to whether the ball had crossed the goal line, but the referee did not want to know anything.
Ajax seemed to take the lead through Kian Fitz-Jim, but the referee disallowed the goal. Mika Godts was offside.
The ball is rolling again in cold Riga. No substitutions at Ajax.
Just before half time, Ajax is really dangerous. Kian Fitz-Jim has the 0-1 on his shoe, but the Amsterdam midfielder rams the ball over the Latvian goal.
It is anything but entertaining in Riga. Only after half an hour did Ajax fire its first shot on goal. Just outside the penalty area, Bertrand Traoré makes an attempt, but without the desired result.
Not much happened between RFC and Ajax in the first fifteen minutes. Both teams have not yet had a decent chance.
The Ajax players have also started.
Leandro Paredes still fires at goal, but the ball goes straight into the hands of Rome-Jayden Owusu-Oduro.
AZ still has to survive four minutes against AS Roma.
Suddenly AS Roma is in a hurry after falling behind. This leads to a shot by Matias Soulè, who pushes the ball wide.
The fans immediately make themselves heard again! Seiya Maikuma starts the attack on the right side, brings Zico Buurmeester and Sven Mijnans into position and heads towards the AZ goal.
AS Roma started the second half better. Angelino is often wanted on the left side and that creates the necessary danger, but AZ is well aware.
Angelino with a careless cross behind the supporting leg, after which Paulo Dybala shoots the ball just over.
The first danger after the break is for AZ. David Moller Wolfe lunges with his left leg and sees his effort fly high.
Both teams started the second half unchanged.
Shame! Mexx Meerdink suddenly gets the ball at his feet and takes a hard shot from close range, but the bet goes wild.
Mexx Meerdink gets to know Mats Hummels. The German former world champion takes down the striker halfway through the half of AS Roma and receives a yellow card for that. Meerdink is now getting back on his feet.
A dangerous counter by AS Roma, after which the ball reaches Zeki Celik. His shot is half blocked and is therefore easy prey for Rome-Jayden Owusu-Oduro,
One of the few highlights so far. Sven Mijnans is almost well served, but an AS Roma defender is in between. Corner for AZ, but Artem Dovbyk also does his defensive job.
Wouter Goes receives an elbow bump from Artem Dovbyk. The AS Roma striker receives the yellow card for this.
The kick-off has been in Alkmaar by AS Roma. The seventh European game for AZ.
AZ – AS Roma 0-0
AS Roma – Athletic Club 1-1
Elfsborg – AS Roma 1-0
AS Roma – Dynamo Kyiv 1-0
Royale Union SG – AS Roma 1-1
Tottenham Hotspur – AS Roma 2-2
AS Roma – SC Braga 3-0
After 6 games, AS Roma has collected 9 points. This puts the Italians in 14th place in the Europa League rankings. AZ is doing slightly less well. Maarten Martens’ team has achieved 8 points so far and takes 19th place.
AZ – Elfsborg 3-2
AZ – Fenerbahce 3-1
AZ – Galatasaray 1-1
It could just be a very nice evening for North Holland football. AZ will face AS Roma at home and Ajax will visit FC RFS in Latvia.