AZ is linked to the Italian Lazio Roma in the eighth finals of the Conference League. That was the toughest opponent the Alkmaarders could draw. The Alkmaarders could skip the intermediate round, because as group winners they had already qualified for the last sixteen.
Before the winter break, AZ qualified as group winner by finishing above FC Vaduz, Apollon Limassol and Dnipro-1. As a result, the Alkmaarders had a protected status and the strongest teams were avoided. It was not easy for AZ, because Lazio rolled out of the tube.
Lazio is the current number five in the Italian Serie A. They narrowly won (1-0) in the intermediate round over two games against the Romanian CFR Cluj. The Romans are in the Conference League, because Feyenoord and Midtjylland finished above them in the group stage of the Europa League.
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The matches in the round of 16 of the Conference League will be played on March 7 and 16. First AZ plays in Rome, a week later Alkmaar is the battleground. The Alkmaarders will play against Cambuur Leeuwarden in the competition tomorrow. The kick-off is at 8 p.m.