AZ was able to lean on a strong series in its own house. Elfsborg (3-2), Fenerbahçe (3-1) and AS Roma (1-0) were previously beaten in the Europa League in Alkmaar. AZ played 1-1 at the end of November against Galatasaray.
That trust immediately radiated from the team of trainer Maarten Martens. Sven Mijnans opened the score after 12 minutes with a beautiful free kick. Although Roland Sallai tied, AZ thundered and got excellent opportunities via Ernest Poku. “Actually it was strange that we were on 1-1,” says trainer Maarten Martens. “That was a tick, but then we went on and compliments to the boys how they did that.”
Goal hunting
Then Troy Parrott cashed in a penalty kick and after the break, Jordy Clasie and David Moller Wolfe secured the victory. “We extended it nicely in the second half,” says Peer Koopmeiners, who enjoyed the AZ game in the field.
Galatasaray played for more than half an hour with a man less after Red for Abdülkerim Baldakci. “Then you keep pushing and looking for a fifth. That didn’t work out, but we tried that,” said Martens.
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