Shortly after SK Brann’s goal against, AZ coach Pascal Jansen brought Ernest Poku and Mayckel Lahdo into the team, among others. That worked, as the two attackers provided energy and offensive danger. At the press conference at midnight, the Alkmaar coach complimented these two. “These guys showed it again today.” AZ – SK Brann ended in 1-1.
“It’s definitely another game,” says Pascal Jansen about the return for next week in Bergen, Norway. “Also credits to SK Brann today, because they gave us a really hard time.”
In the mixed zone, Sven Mijnans made no secret of his disappointment. “Ball tempo was too slow and we weren’t explosive enough on the release.” Partly because of this, the midfielder thought that AZ did not reach his usual level.
Deflation
Furthermore, today in Alkmaar it was a lot about the exodus. Where Sam Beukema, Milos Kerkez and Tijjani Reijnders left earlier this summer, Jesper Karlsson signed a contract with the Italian Bologna yesterday. And it could just be that Pantelis Hatzidiakos and Vangelis Pavlidis also leave Alkmaar behind. “Both boys are very important and we certainly need them,” says Mijnans about the loyalty to his fellow players.
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“Aftershow”
At the end of the game, Hatzidiakos stayed on the field a little longer. He expressly thanked the audience. That made it look like he played his last home game. “So many crazy things are being said,” says Jansen about the possible transfers of Hatzidiakos and Pavlidis. “I don’t care about that, it’s all a side issue.”
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Next Thursday in Bergen, Norway, AZ can make up for it. SK Brann – AZ then starts at 7 p.m. The winner of this diptych qualifies for the group stage of the Conference League. AZ will not play this weekend.