AZ defeated Vitesse in Arnhem. A goal from Jesper Karlsson turned out to be enough for the full booty of the Alkmaarders: 0-1. With this, AZ takes over Ajax’s second position in the Eredivisie.
AZ already played on Friday evening because of the European away match against Lazio Roma next Tuesday. Jordy Clasie, who is in the pre-selection of Orange, was missing due to a suspension (too many yellow cards). His place in the base was taken by Djordje Mihailovic. He saw that Vitesse got the first chance of the match. Million Manhoef went one-on-one towards Mathew Ryan, but the Australian stopped the ball.
After that it was Jesper Karlsson, who created danger several times. Vitesse goalkeeper Kjell Scherpen always turned out to be a spoilsport. The Swede scored the opening goal after half an hour. From a corner by Milos Kerkez, Karlsson took a bounce and hit flawlessly. Just before that, Jens Odgaard had shot the ball just over. Goal scorer Karlsson again had a free shooting chance in the final phase, but the ball went just wide of the goal.
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In the second half, AZ shot out of the starting blocks. First Odgaard tried to outwit Scherpen and moments later Vangelis Pavlidis had the ball for the tap. Both chances went in the goal, so it remained exciting. AZ had another huge opportunity via Mihailovic, but his shot ended up on the crossbar. A header from Tijjani Reijnders was also saved.
Vitesse insisted in the final phase and handed out a number of pinpricks. It was mainly thanks to Mathew Ryan that it remained 0-1. AZ (temporarily) takes over the second place from Ajax in the Eredivisie. The team from Amsterdam will come into action against NEC on Sunday at 4.45 pm. In the event of a draw or win, Ajax passes AZ again in the rankings.
Setup AZ: Ryan; Sugawara, Hatzidiakos, Goes, Kerkez (M. de Wit/65); Reijnders, Mijnans, Mihailovic (Buurmeester/65); Odgaard (Van Brederode/86), Pavlidis, Karlsson (Lahdo/86)