In-house, AZ can rely on a strong series of 25 unbeaten matches in Europe. With the semi-final against West Ham United in the offing, that is a nice statistic to reach the final. But David Moyes, the coach of West Ham United, has already made short work of an ‘unbeatable AZ’ in the past.
Moyes returns with West Ham United to the stadium where he played with Everton against AZ in 2007. Then the team of the Scottish coach won 2-3 in the group stage of the UEFA Cup and Moyes thus ended an impressive series of AZ. The Alkmaarders were then unbeaten for 31 home games in a row in Europe. “I remember that well. I remember then that I had a lot of respect for Louis van Gaal (coach of AZ at the time, ed.). I always like to come to the Netherlands, but I still remember that evening very well.”
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Undefeated status
Now the situation is similar, as Moyes can once again put an end to an impressive run by AZ. The team of trainer Pascal Jansen is currently unbeaten in 25 games in a row. In 2017 it was Olympique Lyon (1-4) that left Alkmaar for the last time with a win. An English reporter compared the stadium to an impregnable fortress. “They have a great unbeaten record at home and we are still unbeaten in Europe. AZ has to do what it has to do, just like us. It’s as big a game for them as it is for us and we’ll have to give everything to get through to go.”
Moyes spared his players towards the second game against AZ. The Hammers lost with their b-side 2-0 to visit Brentford, but will be keen to reach a European final. “It’s a very important game for us. We have talented players, experienced players and some young players. I hope that combination will work well tomorrow.”
Impressed
Last week, West Ham won the first meeting 2-1, but the Alkmaarders impressed Moyes. “I think AZ played very well, not just against us. They are doing remarkably well in the Dutch league and have done so for a few years in a row,” Moyes continues. “I think it will be an open game. They have shown what they can do when they are behind and what they are capable of.”
According to Moyes, the match in London was a typical match between an English club and a Dutch one. Physical football of the home team had to deal with an easy football AZ: “Over all the years we have all learned a lot from Dutch football. They have had many good players and good national teams. We have always tried to learn from other countries. The Premier League has had many coaches from different countries, so the competition is very changeable and influenced.”
The second game in the semi-final of the Conference League between AZ and West Ham United starts tomorrow at 9 p.m. in Alkmaar. 900 fans of the English club take place in the away section. AZ will be supported by a sold-out stadium.