Where a large result was to be expected in advance, AZ has won against Tuzla City with minimal figures. The Alkmaarders were too strong in the second preliminary round of the Conference League with 1-0. As a result, the team of trainer Pascal Jansen will have to work hard in Bosnia next week to advance to the next round.
AZ started convincingly at the first meeting with Tuzla City, which settled with Tre Penne from San Marino in the first preliminary round of the Conference League. The visitors had to survive a lot of pressure. After twelve minutes, AZ’s dominance in the field was paid off in the first goal. Dani de Wit converted a penalty after Jens Odgaard was knocked down in the penalty area: 1-0.
The physical Tuzla City tried to become dangerous in the switch, but due to inaccuracies on the ball, it did not succeed. Until the break, only Milos Kerkez was close to scoring. He saw his long shot burst on the crossbar. Attempts from the second line by Jens Odgaard, Tijjani Reijnders and Jordy Clasie resulted in minimal danger.
falling asleep
AZ played at a slightly too slow pace to tear the Bosnian wall apart. Depth was lacking in the game which made it easy for Tuzla to hold out. An imposed header chance from Odgaard and an attempt from close range with the chest of Vangelis Pavlidis were therefore the only danger in the first fifteen minutes after the break.
The disappointing attacking game then no longer led to opportunities that were played out, so that the starting position for next week is by no means optimal. Just before time, De Wit had a great chance for the header, but the flying midfielder missed the ball.
The return in Bosnia will follow next Thursday (July 28) at 8.45 pm. The match will then be played in Sarajevo, as the stadium in Tuzla is not available.
AZ setup: concealed; Hatzidiakos, Beukema, Martins Indi, Kerkez (M. De Wit/71); Clasie, Reijnders (Midtsjö/85), D. De Wit; Evjen, Pavlidis, Odgaard (Van Brederode/71)