AZ had a very easy afternoon visiting Vitesse. The Greek striker once again proved his worth and scored twice. As a result, the Alkmaarders took the three points and the lead (on goal difference) from Arnhem.
Midweek, AZ had a lot of trouble getting SK Brann to their knees. The Alkmaarders had little time to think about this, as Vitesse was waiting in Arnhem. Jordy Clasie, Myron van Brederode, Ernest Poku and Alexandre Penetra were in the base compared to Thursday. For Poku and Penetra it was their debut in the starting line-up.
The visitors had the best chances before the break. Dani de Wit, for example, headed wide via a Vitesse defender, Yukinari Sugawara almost hit the target from a free kick and Penetra’s header went just over. The greatest opportunity was for Van Brederode, who shot at the keeper face to face with Eloy Room.
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Shortly after the break, it was a hit for AZ. Vangelis Pavlidis went into a combination with Van Brederode and scored: 0-1. The Greek, who seemed to leave Alkmaar for the Spanish Sevilla and still stayed, doubled the lead. He was again accurate from an assist from Dani de Wit: 0-2.
Sugawara escaped Vitesse’s attention on the right side and got into a promising position. The Japanese first found Room on his way, after which the rebound was blocked by Marco van Ginkel. Jens Odgaard also failed to finish. In the end it made no difference, as AZ left Arnhem with three points and the lead.
Setup AZ: Ryan; Sugawara, Bazoer, Penetra, Moller Wolfe; Clasie (Dantas/83), Mijnans, D. De Wit; Poku (Van Bommel/72), Pavlidis (Odgaard/83), Van Brederode (Mihailovic/72)