Although AZ had little to fear against Zrinjski Mostar, it remained exciting in Alkmaar until the end. In the Conference League match, the Alkmaarders won 1-0 thanks to a converted penalty from Vangelis Pavlidis. Thanks to the victory, coach Pascal Jansen’s team keeps hope of a European winter.
The assignment for AZ was crystal clear in advance. The Alkmaarders had to win to keep sight of European wintering in the Conference League. It should be noted that Legia Warsaw may not score a point against Aston Villa later tonight.
Trainer Pascal Jansen made only one change compared to the match against FC Volendam (3-0 win). Djordje Mihailovic started in the starting line-up at the expense of the injured Sven Mijnans. Dani de Wit started again from the bench.
The attacking intentions were immediately visible in the opening phase. AZ was looking to attack and had the first opportunities through Vangelis Pavlidis. However, we had to wait for opportunities to be taken.
Penalty moment
After just over twenty minutes the first opportunity presented itself. After a nice move, Pavlidis passed the ball to Ernest Poku, who had to look for the angle, but his shot was blocked by hand by Matija Malekinusic. After lengthy consultation with the VAR, referee Oleksii Derevinskyi decided not to put the ball on the spot, because the ball hit the arm via a part of the body.
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The penalty moment was the starting signal for AZ to increase the pace again. Despite that, Zrinjski Mostar surprisingly stayed out of trouble. Only shots from Tiago Dantas, Poku and Pavlidis and a number of attacks that went too far were recorded until the tea break. It was striking that Riechedly Bazoer had to leave the field injured and was replaced by Alexandre Penetra.
Now a penalty
Even after the break, AZ continued to look for the lead. The Bosnians, who completed a bizarre comeback in the home game by winning 4-3, were just as then unable to do much offensively. As a result, Zrinjski often dug in and AZ had to rely on attempts from distance. AZ’s attacking drive was rewarded. Pavlidis scored a penalty after being hooked and stood behind the ball himself. The Greek shot the ball convincingly into the top corner: 1-0.
Even after the opening goal, the chances continued to pile up for AZ. Zrinjski Mostar’s goal was under fire, especially with quick attacks from the side and dangerous crosses. Ten minutes before the end, the visitors suddenly tried to attack. AZ goalkeeper Mathew Ryan had to tap a dangerous cross over the goal
Despite the victory, AZ is still dependent on the result at Aston Villa – Legia Warsaw. If they draw in England, AZ will still be eliminated from Europe. If Aston Villa wins, AZ can finish it themselves in the away match against Legia.
AZ setup: Ryan; Sugawara (Kasius/79), Bazoer (Penetra/43), Martins Indi, Moller Wolfe; Clasie, Dantas (Goudmijn/91), Mihailovic (De Wit/79); Poku, Pavlidis, Van Bommel (Addai/79)