The eighth final of the Conference League means the European end point for AZ. At home, the Alkmaarders did not go further than 2-2 against Bodø/Glimt after extra time, after losing 2-1 last week (3-4 loss over two games).
AZ started in the knowledge that it had to win the match against Bodø/Glimt. The Norwegian stunt team, who won 2-1 last week after an easily given penalty, was trumped by AZ in the opening phase. Vangelis Pavilidis already broke the spell for AZ after 17 minutes. The Greek striker was sent off by Bruno Martins Indi, rounded the keeper and then shot cool into the far corner: 1-0.
The Alkmaarders started with Sam Beukema in the center back, instead of Pantelis Hatzidiakos. He formed the duo together with Martins Indi and the latter made a horrific mistake. The defender let a deep ball run, from which Bodø/Glimt took full advantage and equalized ten minutes after the opening goal via Amahl Pellegrino. The goal against meant that AZ had to attack again. The eagerness splashed from the team of trainer Pascal Jansen. After half an hour of play, Pavlidis tapped in his second of the evening, from a low cross by Aslak Witry from the right: 2-1.
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Handbrake
In the first fifteen minutes after the break, AZ was looking for a breakthrough in the Norwegian defense. By using agility in the front and space behind the defense, AZ pushed the opponent back. Bodø/Glimt was close to the equalizer via Pellegrino, but Kjetil Kutsen’s team was unable to achieve this offensively.
Through Jesper Karlsson, the Alkmaarders almost got a wage after work. The Swedish winger went in and saw his effort of 25 meters bounce off the crossbar and post. The energy then flowed from AZ’s game, which meant that an extension had to make the decision after two times a 2-1.
extension
In extra time it was again AZ that predominated. Substitute Zakaria Aboukhal was close after he cleverly outplayed his opponent, but Kamal Sowah just couldn’t get a good pass. In the 104th minute he almost outwitted the goalkeeper with a small marker, but a Bodø/Glimt defender cleared the line. Although the Norwegians hadn’t shown anything in extra time, Alfons Sampsted made it 2-2 from a cross from the right on the stroke of half-time.
The final offensive brought about a number of great opportunities, with the header from Bruno Martins Indi as the ultimate chance. The defender was completely free and had the corner to choose, but he couldn’t get the ball into the goal. As a result, AZ draws 2-2, but is still out of the Conference League.
AZ setup: Vindahl; Witry, Beukema, Martins Indi, Wijndal; Clasie (Evjen/82), Reijnders, De Wit (Sowah/82); Sugawara, Pavlidis (Aboukhlal/75), Karlsson