After the match against FC Utrecht (2-2) Pascal Jansen boiled over with anger. In the past five games, AZ lost points four times in the absolute final phase, including in the Galgenwaard. “That happens to us too much,” says Jansen. The AZ trainer has now ‘cooled down’ again and hopes to refuel with confidence towards the play-offs against RKC Waalwijk on Sunday.
It is difficult for Jansen to put his finger on the sore spot. It always went wrong against PEC Zwolle (2-1 loss), Sparta Rotterdam (1-1), Ajax (2-2) and FC Utrecht (2-2). “We need to learn lessons from that.”
The trainer has found his team ‘changeable’ in recent weeks and is now driving crazy. “In some phases you have to cherish the small victory, but we strive to do it the AZ way. So we prefer to walk out to a bigger lead.”
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Although little is at stake for AZ in the competition, Jansen insists that he wants to go well into the play-offs. In it, AZ plays against the number eight, but NEC, Go Ahead Eagles, sc Heerenveen, FC Groningen and SC Cambuur are still fighting for that. He can have a fit selection against RKC Waalwijk. Yusuf Barasi may return to the match selection, Jelle Duin is fit again and Bruno Martins Indi has no more thigh problems.
This Sunday, AZ will meet RKC Waalwijk at home. The match starts at 2:30 PM.