For the first time in eighteen years, AZ smells a European final again. Tomorrow the team of coach Pascal Jansen will receive West Ham United in-house. Last week, the Alkmaarders lost 2-1 in London. “So it is definitely still a game,” says Jansen at the press conference.
AZ coach Pascal Jansen: “More has to be done in the final phase” – NH Sport / Stephan Brandhorst
AZ took the lead against West Ham United last week thanks to a long shot from Tijjani Reijnders. After that, the team created few more chances. “More needs to be done in the final phase than in London,” Jansen says clearly about the points for improvement. Perhaps the key to this is the return of Milos Kerkez (suspended) and Jesper Karlsson (injury). The pair will be able to cover the left flank again, unlike last week.
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Dani de Wit can also be used again for AZ after months of injury. The attacking midfielder made his comeback against FC Emmen (5-1 win) last weekend and can also cope The Hammers to play. “They are important guys,” says Jansen about the return of Kerkez, Karlsson and De Wit.
Restoration work
In the quarterfinals against Anderlecht, AZ faced a similar task in the return. Then a 2-0 defeat in Brussels had to be rectified at home. Within fifteen minutes the damage was then undone. Now the starting position is a 2-1 defeat in London against West Ham United. “I hope in a scenario like against Anderlecht, but we will have to be a bit more patient at times.”
Text continues below the video.
Jansen: “Anderlecht is part of that process” – NH Sport / Stephan Brandhorst
The return in the semi-final between AZ and West Ham United starts tomorrow evening at 9 p.m. in Alkmaar. AZ must make up for a 2-1 deficit for a place in the final. It may meet the winner of Fiorentina against FC Basel. The final in Prague is on Wednesday 7 June.
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