A tough learning experience for AZ in the Conference League. In Alkmaar, a deadly effective Aston Villa defeated coach Pascal Jansen’s team 1-4. In order to winter in Europe, AZ has to work hard in the remaining matches.
AZ knew in advance that they were in for a tough evening against Aston Villa. The English performed with the star ensemble in Alkmaar. This is how world champion Emiliano Martinez starts on goal. Former Barcelona player Clement Lenglet and former Paris Saint-Germain player Lucas Digne also started in the starting line-up. At AZ, Ibrahim Sadiq replaced the suspended Mayckel Lahdo as right winger.
Aston Villa merciless
The home team started convincingly against the number five of England. By applying high pressure and playing ball with pace, AZ managed to push Aston Villa back in the opening phase. Despite the good start, AZ found themselves behind after fourteen minutes. A sloppy throw-in by AZ was intercepted by Aston Villa, after which the ball was shot in by Leon Bailey from outside the sixteen: 0-1.
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The lead gave the visitors from England self-confidence and also control in the match. The only thing AZ could do offensively was a shot from Vangelis Pavlidis, which went straight into the hands of Martinez.
Dawdle
A little later it went wrong again in a clumsy way. Sven Mijnans hesitated and gave an incorrect pass. The ball ended up with John McGinn and the captain immediately gave a splitting pass to Youri Tielemans, who shot into the 0-2 through the legs of Mathew Ryan. Shortly afterwards, Mijnans seemed to make up for his mistake by applying good pressure, but Pavlidis shot wildly over one-on-one with Martinez.
After just over half an hour of football, AZ seemed to score the tying goal. David Moller Wolfe headed through to Myron van Brederode, after which Pavlidis was able to tap in. However, the flag was raised for offside. Aston Villa slowed down a little towards half time. As a result, the teams were evenly matched, without any real opportunities to be seen. AZ tried to play football, but Unai Emery’s team kept the defense close.
Even more goals conceded
At halftime, AZ coach Pascal Jansen surprisingly replaced Sven Mijnans and Alexandre Penetra for Tiago Dantas and Bruno Martins Indi. With the fresh forces within the lines, AZ started the second half convincingly. Yet things went wrong for AZ five minutes after half-time. Bailey outpaced Moller Wolfe, but then shot at AZ keeper Ryan and on the rebound, striker Ollie Watkins easily made it 0-3 for Aston Villa. AZ still had a nice chance through Pavlidis, but ten minutes after half-time McGinn tapped in the 0-4 from a low cross from the right.
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All hope of a result had disappeared from the stadium. AZ’s fanatical supporters were completely drowned out by the English fans who traveled with them, who behaved exemplary around the match. Yet AZ got on the scoreboard halfway through the second half. Basic debutant Ibrahim Sadiq shot the ball hard and low from outside the box into the far corner: 1-4. Suddenly AZ was sharp again and had opportunities through Pavlidis, but the ball went narrowly wide a number of times.
The defeat leaves AZ with three points from three games in the Conference League. The team still has to work hard to spend the winter in Europe. Zrinjski Mostar and Legia Warsaw play each other at 9 p.m. AZ will play in the Premier League again next Sunday. NEC Nijmegen will then visit Alkmaar at 4.45 pm.
AZ setup: Ryan; Sugawara, Bazoer, Penetra (Martins Indi/46), Moller Wolfe; Clasie, Mijnans (Dantas/46), De Wit; Sadiq (Odgaard/67), Pavlidis, Van Brederode (Odgaard/67)