Hi! In this live blog we will keep you informed of everything around the Europa League duels of AZ & Ajax. Both teams compete for a place in the eighth final.
Last: Galatasaray-AZ 2-2 (3-6)
9 pm: Ajax-Union Sint-Gillis 0-2 (2-2)
With a 2-0 lead, the Amsterdammers started this return, but halfway there is nothing left. In addition, the Francesco Farioli team also plays with ten men. Davy Klaassen consciously made hands and was able to press.
Union Sint-Gillis gets one after the other. This time it is Franjo Ivanovic. The striker shoots over, but that could have ended differently.
The spacious lead of the Amsterdammers has disappeared for the sun as ice. The penalty kick is convincingly shot by Promise David.
A penalty for Union, after a handball from Davy Klaassen. The midfielder also gets red and so Ajax has to go with ten people. What a dramatic start for the Amsterdammers.
Ajax is not doing well, the Amsterdammers give away a lot of space in the back. Ousseynou Niang shoots hard on the Amsterdam goal on behalf of Union, but Remko Pasveer saves.
It looked like another Belgian goal. This time from Sofiane Boufal, but offside was found. It is clear that Ajax has been considered considerably.
Union Sint-Gillis takes the lead from a free kick. Ajax goalie Remko Pasveer is hopeless on the header of Kevin Mac Allister.
After a wonderful free kick by Steven Berghuis, Jorrel Hato has the corner before choosing. Only the left back does not hit the ball well.
There was kicked off at Ajax against Union Sint-Gillis.
Koopmeiners touches the bar and in the rebound the keeper prevents Sadiq from scoring.
Möller-Wolfe and Parrott out. De Wit and Sadiq come in. For the attacker it is his return after months of absence due to an injury.
The Turks leave the stadium en masse and have given up. Monday the top match against Fenerbahce is waiting here.
Penetra has bad luck. The Portuguese defender heads the ball against the post and therefore remains at 0 goals for AZ.
Ernest Poku has already left quite a few opportunities tonight. Again he comes through dangerously, but he is stranded by the goalkeeper.
Galatasaray comes back from a 0-2 deficit. Sallai shoots from the edge of the penalty area. Does this make the belief in the Turkish team that something is possible?
Enormous opportunity for the Irish striker of AZ but he is unable to help AZ with a wider lead,
Who else than Osimhen answers. He also rams the ball very hard behind keeper Owusu-Oduro.
Denso Kasius rams the ball in full speed towards the top right corner and sets AZ at 0-2.
Immediately after the break, the home team seeks the attack and becomes dangerous twice, but keeper Owusu-Oduro does not shrink.
Kasius has entered the team for Lahdo who will play on the right, so that Poku moves to the left. Galatasaray has changed twice during the break. Second half started, while it is still snowing very lightly.
Seiya Maikuma fumbles the ball inside! The stadium is completely stopping for the first time tonight. The stand is now 5-1 for AZ in two games.
A huge amount of space behind the defense and Ernest Poku eagerly uses it. His shot sails along the goal of Galatasaray.
The mind slowly disappears from the bottle in Istanbul. The audience becomes less noisy, because it sees that Galatasaray tries everything, but hard to get serious opportunities.
A strong demarrage from Troy Parrott, who crosses half the field and passes a number of opponents. He delivers the ball at Ernest Poku and his shot is blocked.
And suddenly AZ is urging the goal of Galatasaray. Poku’s shot is blocked and a long shot from Belic is just being tapped.
AZ almost strikes in the counter. Ernest Poku is running away again, lays on Troy Parrott, but he is overflowing high from a promising position.
Galatasaray is pretty insisting in this phase. Victor Osimhen heads on the goal of AZ, but in the hands of goalkeeper Owusu-Oduro.
Rome-Jayden Owusu-Oduro prevents Galatasaray from scoring. The goalkeeper ticks Sallai’s shot next to it.
A scrimmage for the goal of Galatasaray. Ernest Poku is close to a goal and Kristijan Belic is also dangerous.
A hurricane of sound goes through the stadium. As soon as Galatasaray is on the ball, the team is shouted ahead and a deafening flute concert sounds at every moment of AZ.
AZ started the game well. Ernest Poku shoots just wide and a bet by Sven Mijnans is defended into a corner.
We started! AZ defends a 4-1 lead.
Only 91 fans came to Istanbul from the Netherlands. These fans must collect in a fan zone in the Sultan Ahmet Park. Then they have to go to the stadium with a mandatory bus.
Below a number of practical instructions for the AZ fans:
- From the Sultan Ahmet Park you will be brought to the branch by shuttle bus. This is a trip of approximately 45 – 60 minutes. The buses leave no later than 5:15 pm (local time). It is not possible to travel to the stadium on your own transport. Supporters who miss the bus are under no condition admitted to the stadium. So make sure you are present at the designated location well in time.
- When you go into the bus, the police check whether you are in possession of a valid competition ticket + ID and you will be searched by the police.
- It is not permitted to take back pockets, power banks and electronic cigarettes with you in the stadium. Any too large bags can be left in the shuttle buses. In addition, the Turkish police can take all objects that can possibly be thrown (including AirPods, lighters, etc.).
- No alcohol is served in the branch. Payments in the branch can be made cash or with a credit card.
- After the game, a detention procedure will follow that is expected to take 30 to 45 minutes, possibly this can be extended by the local authorities. You will then be brought back to the fan zone (Sultan Ahmet Park) by shuttle bus to continue your way from there.