AZ fights for a draw against PEC Zwolle with Maarten Martens’ debut

After the dismissal of trainer Pascal Jansen, assistant Maarten Martens was moved on. During his debut as head coach of AZ, he immediately made a number of changes. Acquisition Kristijan Belic was given a starting place in midfield and Alexandre Penetra returned. It was striking that at AZ Denso Kasius was posted as left back and Alexandre Penetra was the right back.

Text continues below the X-post.

Although the mood among the fans was positive, they saw that PEC Zwolle almost scored the opening goal after two minutes. Ody Velanas was put away after a quick counter and shot hard against the post. AZ escaped and could only become dangerous in the first fifteen minutes through Vangelis Pavlidis with a fumbled shot and a header. After sixteen minutes, AZ was also very close to a goal. Pavlidis got the ball in front of his foot from a corner kick and the top scorer shot hard against the crossbar.

Behind the goal of Rome-Jayden Owusu-Oduro there was a banner with ‘Good luck Maarten, flame together’, but the flames were disappointing. The young goalkeeper had to save after half an hour from a slider by Eliano Reijnders, the younger brother of former AZ player Tijjani Reijnders. Towards half-time, AZ pressed and had better opportunities through Kasius (shot wide), Belic (header) and Myron vaan Brederode (shot).

Setback

Immediately after the break, AZ was close to the lead again. Penetra headed from a corner kick by Riechedly Bazoer onto the crossbar and in the after-kick Pavlidis did not get the ball behind Schendelaar either. Out of nowhere, PEC Zwolle then took the lead. Lennart Thy tapped in the 0-1 from close range after the cross from the left went through. AZ seemed to quickly put things in order through Dani de Wit who hit the target, but received the ball in an offside position.

It was the starting signal for AZ’s final offensive. Pavlidis was close to hitting a volley, which was saved by Schendelaar. Moments before, PEC defender Kersten headed the ball into Van den Berg’s hand. Referee Allard Lindhout placed the ball on the spot after intervention by the VAR.

Text continues below the X-post.

Pavlidis scored convincingly in the 75th minute: 1-1. AZ seemed liberated after the Greek’s equalizer. Those hopes were crushed by a goal by Velanas (1-2). In the absolute final phase, substitute Sven Mijnans still scored the 2-2.

Text continues below the X-post.

Due to the draw, the difference between AZ and FC Twente remains four points. The Tukkers surprisingly lost on a visit to NEC, but the Alkmaarders could not take advantage. Next Sunday, AZ will visit SC Heerenveen at 12.15 pm.

AZ setup: Owusu-Oduro; Penetra Moller Wolfe/76), Bazoer, Martins Indi, Kasius; Clasie, Belic (Dantas/65), D. De Wit (Mijnans/65); Lahdo (Addai/65), Pavlidis, Van Brederode (Odgaard/76)