AZ collapse late to trail Shakhtar Donetsk 3-0 in Conference League quarter-final

A disastrous last 20 minutes for AZ Alkmaar has given them a mountain to climb in their UEFA Conference League quarter-final tie against Shakhtar Donetsk. Lee-Roy Echtold’s side conceded three goals in the last 20 minutes, resulting in a 3-0 deficit going into the second leg next week in Alkmaar.

AZ had contained the home side for most of the game in Henryk-Reyman-Stadium in Krakow, the stadium in which the Ukrainian side plays all their European home games due to the war conflict in the country, until a screamer in the 72nd minute opened the floodgates.

Troy Parrott returned to the AZ first 11, Mexx Meerdink had started the 2-0 win against Fortuna Sittard at the weekend. Ro-Zangelo Daal was set to start the game but was demoted to the bench due to being late for the team meeting, Lee-Roy Echtold told reporters prior to the game.

AZ’s only real chance of the first half came in the 29th minute. A chipped cross to the back post found Wesley Patati unmarked, but he sliced his attempt towards goal, resulting in the ball hardly moving forward before he was penalized for handball.

The first half was a low-key affair, with AZ more than happy to sit back and soak up the pressure, leaving it to Shakhtar, who had mostly Brazilian players in their starting 11, to break down the Alkmaar defence.

Shakhtar hit the crossbar in the 49th minute. Pedrinho’s free kick went over goalkeeper Jeroen Zoet but came back off the woodwork.

AZ’s Brazilian, Wesley Patati, had another chance for a goal a few minutes later. The winger found himself one-on-one with Shakhtar keeper Dmytro Riznyk, but the Ukrainian saved his attempt before it went out for a goal kick off Patati’s legs.

Pedrinho hit the bar again in the 72nd minute, only this one also found the net on the way down. Sven Mijnans was off-balance while trying to control the ball on the edge of the penalty area, and this led to the shot opportunity for Pedrinho, who cannoned it in via the underside of the bar.

The home side made it 2-0 in the 81st minute. A corner bounced in the box before Wouter Goes headed it straight to Alisson Santana, and he did not hesitate, volleying it hard and low into the net.

This was followed by another goal a minute later as AZ’s young side crumbled. Substitute Eguinaldo beat two AZ players with a sublime piece of skill before playing a one-two with former Ajax forward Lassina Traore. His cross into the box was missed by AZ center back Billy van Duijl and then converted by Santana for his second of the game.

AZ face SC Heerenveen at home on Sunday before attempting an improbable comeback next Thursday at the AFAS Stadium.