AZ has won again in the Premier League. Sparta Rotterdam turned out to be a willing victim in Alkmaar: 2-0. Dani de Wit excelled with a goal and assist for the Alkmaarders.
So everything went smoothly for AZ. Although the first warning shot for Sparta was via Koki Saito. The Japanese forced Mathew Ryan into a save. The Alkmaarders then took the upper hand. It was first Sven Mijnans (former Spartan), who created two chances. Within a minute and a half the score went from 0-0 to 2-0.
Dani de Wit was accurate after an assist from Jordy Clasie. The second goal was scored by Vangelis Pavlidis on a pass from the same De Wit. Just before half-time, AZ became dangerous once more through Alexandre Penetra, who headed over from a corner.
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AZ did not encounter any problems against Sparta in the second half. Bart Vriends almost put the ball into his own goal and moments later De Wit thought he had scored his second. This goal was ruled out for offside. After this, the Alkmaarders created even more opportunities. Pavlidis’ header was barely saved and a few minutes later he shot just wide. So it remained only 2-0 for a long time.
Trainer Pascal Jansen tried to revive his attack by bringing his entire vanguard to the side. Jens Odgaard, Ernest Poku and debutant Ibrahim Sadiq made an appearance. Despite the triple substitution, it did not lead to great opportunities for AZ.
The Alkmaarders, with PSV and FC Twente, are the only clubs without losing points. They are shared at the top. AZ plays against Zrinjski in the Conference League in midweek, after which PEC Zwolle awaits on Sunday.
AZ setup: Ryan; Sugawara, Bazoer, Penetra, Möller Wolfe; Clasie, Mijnans (Goudmijn/82), D. De Wit; Lahdo (Sadiq/72) Pavlidis (Odgaard/72), Van Brederode (Poku/72)