AZ comfortably finish the job against Galatasary to advance in the UEFA Europa League
AZ Alkmaar finished the job they had set up last week to advance to the last 16 of the UEFA Europa League by knocking out Galatasaray on Thursday. The Alkmaarders drew 2-2 in Istanbul after winning the first game 4-1 last week in Alkmaar. Seiya Maikuma and Denso Kasius were the goalscorers for AZ.
Jordy Clasie, the AZ captain, was left in Alkmaar due to an injury. He was replaced in the midfield by Kristian Belic. This was the only change to the team that beat Galatasaray 4-1 in the first leg.
Many expected AZ’s young team to struggle in the raucous atmosphere in the RAMS Park in Istanbul, but the Alkmaarders continued where they had left off last week, cutting through the Turkish defense with ease. The captain for the game, Sven Mijnans had the first significant chance to score after just a few minutes played but his effort was saved by goalkeeper Günay Güvenç.
Maarten Martens’ team was just as dominant as they were in the first game. They created another three chances in the 13th minute. Troy Parrot’s shot was blocked before it came to Ernest Poku, whose effort was saved by Güvenç. This was not the end of the attack as Belic had another attempt at a goal in the follow-up. This was stopped from going in by Davinson Sanchez.
The home side was not giving AZ much to fear, and the Alkmaarders took the lead shortly before halftime. Poku dribbled past his man before playing it back to Maikuma. The Japanese full-back was tackled by Gabriel Sara but this only led to the ball deflecting into the goal off of Maikuma, making it 0-1 on the night and 5-1 on aggregate.
Galatasaray’s star striker Victor Osimhen was kept reasonably quiet by the AZ defense. The Nigerian’s first significant chance came in the 50th minute when he had a free header from a Roland Sallai cross. However, the ball went straight at Rome-Jayden Owusu-Oduro.
AZ put the tie to bed in the 55th minute as they made it 0-2. A long-distance shot from Denso Kasius went past Güvenç and into the goal at the near post.
However, the home side got a goal back instantly. A long ball was left by Sara for Osimhen, who smashed it home.
Despite the goal, it was still AZ who were looking the most dangerous. A cross from Kasius found Parrot with a ton of space in front of the goal, but his effort was saved.
Galatasaray got another goal back in the 70th minute. Sallai’s shot from outside the area found the net after some questionable keeping from Owusu-Oduro. AZ hit the post once more before the end of the game as Alexandre Penetra hit the post from a cross by Zico Buurmeester.
All in all, it was an incredibly easy night for the Alkmaarders. They will find out on Friday during the draw whether they face Tottenham Hotspur or Manchester United.
