AZ blow a 0-2 lead in Bulgaria against Ludogorets to draw 2-2 in the Europa League
AZ blow a 0-2 lead in Bulgaria against Ludogorets to draw 2-2
AZ blew a 0-2 lead at halftime in their 2-2 draw against Ludogorets on Thursday in the UEFA Europa League. The Alkmaarders were leading due to goals from Ruben van Bommel and Seiya Maikuma, but they were undone by two goals from set pieces within three minutes from the home team in the second half.
The draw is not the worst result for Maarten Martens’ side, as they are still in a position to qualify for the playoffs for the next round. They are currently 16th. Every place up to the 24th ensures a playoff spot. They face two tough opponents in AS Roma and Eintracht Frankfurt in their last two games.
AZ’s first-choice keeper Rome-Jayden Owusu-Oduro returned to the first 11 for AZ. He has just recovered from an injury and took back his place from Jeroen Zoet, who has been playing in his absence.
The Alkmaarders got the first goal of the game in the 13th minute. A counterattack led to Ruben van Bommel passing the ball through to Ernest Poku, whose shot was saved, but Van Bommel continued his run and nodded it into the empty net.
AZ had not picked up a point yet away from home in European competitions this season, but they significantly boosted their chances by scoring again five minutes later. A well-worked attack led to Poku’s pull back finding Seiya Maikuma, who converted with his weaker foot.
Martens’ team was dominating and playing some beautiful stuff. Van Bommel almost scored an incredible solo goal when he dribbled past three players from his own half, but his shot was saved by Ludogorets’ Dutch goalkeeper Sergio Padt. This was seconds before Sven Mijnans beautiful curled effort hit the crossbar.
Yet despite their superiority, Ludogorets got a goal back on the hour mark. Erick Marcus crossed a free kick into the box and it was headed in by Ivaylo Chochev.
Ludogorets had found the young AZ side’s Achilles heel, and they exploited it again to level the match two minutes later. Again Marcus crossed into the box, and it was headed in Kwadwo Duah. 2-2.
It seemed to be the only danger that the home team could generate as AZ still seemed to be the better side, creating another chance later on in the half. David Møller Wolfe did everything right, bringing the ball forward and playing in Mexx Meerdink, but the young striker seemed to have no idea what he wanted to do with the chance as he hit it far wide of the goal.
AZ has three more games before the winter break, with the first of those being NAC Breda away next Sunday night.
