AZ surprisingly beat Lazio Rome in the eighth final of the Conference League. In the Stadio Olimpico in Rome, the game ended in 1-2. Vangelis Pavlidis and Milos Kerkez scored the goals for the Alkmaarders.
The experienced Lazio is 3rd in the Serie A and AZ knew that it could prepare for a tough evening. In the first part of the game, the Italians dominated and that resulted in a lead within 20 minutes. The goal came from Spanish striker Pedro, who was able to shoot in a cross from the left.
The resilient AZ went hard for a goal. The team came close through Sven Mijnans; he shot at the post. The equalizer came just before half-time, when Pavlidis completed a cross from Jesper Karlsson.
After the break, AZ continued to increase the pressure and in the 62nd minute the team took the lead via Milos Kerkez. The 19-year-old left back shot the ball hard after a combination with Karlsson. Lazio then started, but was unable to create any clear chances. The return will be played in Alkmaar next Thursday.