AZ won 2-1 against Lazio in the eighth finals of the Conference League tonight. On a visit to Rome, Pascal Jansen’s team thus provided itself with an excellent starting position for the return in nine days in Alkmaar.
AZ’s line-up against the current number three of the Italian Serie A had few surprises. Only Jordy Clasie returned to the starting line-up after serving a suspension against Vitesse last Friday. Djordje Mihailovic therefore started on the bench again.
Pascal Jansen’s formation had a very difficult time against Lazio in the opening phase and got away well within three minutes when Sergej Milinković-Savić shot a cross just wide. Fifteen minutes later, however, it was a hit for the home team. Again AZ was unable to stop a cross from the left and this time Pedro was the final destination. The Spaniard passed AZ goalkeeper Mathew Ryan and thus signed for the 1-0.
Woodwork
AZ found it difficult to get into the match against the very disciplined and compact Lazio. After exactly half an hour of play, AZ was dangerous for the first time. Sven Mijnans hit the post after good preparatory work by Jesper Karlsson.
After this first goal attempt, the Alkmaarders gradually got better into the game and managed to reward themselves by making it 1-1 just before the end of the first half. Reijnders lobbed Karlsson, who in turn served Vangelis Pavlidis. The Greek striker tapped in the low cross at the first post with a lot of feeling.
Text continues below the photos.
Vangelis Pavlidis cheers after the equalizer
Tijjani Reijnders heads the ball
Jesper Karlsson is stopped
After the break, Lazio’s level dropped considerably and AZ eagerly took advantage of that. In the 62nd minute, Milos Kerkez benefited from a good midfield interception by Clasie. Kerkez steamed towards the goal, successfully combined with Karlsson and then hit from a difficult angle: 1-2.
To persevere
In the remaining half hour, Lazio went in search of a goal. The Romans came very close a number of times through shots from Felipe Anderson and Luis Alberto. Both goalkeeper Ryan and AZ’s strong defense prevented the equalizer several times. However, Lazio’s final offensive barely got off the ground. The home team got no further than a long shot from Matías Vecino and so the 1-2 remained on the scoreboard.
In nine days, on Thursday, March 16, the return between the two teams is scheduled. At stake is a place in the quarter-finals of the Conference League. Next Saturday, AZ will first play at home against FC Groningen.
Setup AZ: Ryan; Sugawara, Goes, Hatzidiakos, Kerkez (Mihailovic/83); Reijnders, Mijnans, Clasie; Odgaard (M. De Wit/83), Pavlidis (Meerdink/83), Karlsson (Van Brederode/83)