AZ bounce back in Europe with comfortable win over Slovan Bratislava
AZ Alkmaar returned to winning ways in the UEFA Conference League on Thursday evening with a 1-0 win over Slovan Bratislava. The victory was more comfortable than the scoreline would suggest, with Slovan causing the Alkmaarders very little trouble in the AFAS Stadium. Sven Mijnans got the solitary goal of the game.
The AZ game was scheduled to kick off at 9 p.m., but was moved to the earlier time slot due to Storm Benjamin. Maarten Martens decided to start the game without striker Troy Parrot. The Irishman was put on the bench, likely due to his recent recovery from an injury.
AZ created their first chance in the eighth minute. A long ball from deep found Sven Mijnans, and his volleyed effort was palmed away by Bratislava keeper Dominik Takac.
Mijnans came close again in the 25th minute. A shot from Patati was deflected before being palmed away by Takac, and Mijnans’ effort on the rebound was about to go in before it was cleared by Bajric.
The Alkmaarders broke the deadlock a few minutes before halftime. A low cross from Denso Kasius was side-footed into the far corner by Mijnans via the hands of Takac.
AZ were dominant in the first half. The next chance came when the Bratislava right back, Cesar Blackman, lost the ball in a dangerous position and Ibrahim Sadiq rattled the crossbar with an effort from outside the box.
This attack also resulted in a penalty for the home side. Replays showed that Sadiq’s shot had deflected off the hand of former Vitesse defender Guram Kashia. Mijnans had his opportunity to get his second from the spot, but his effort was poor and easily saved by Takac.
Kasius was almost involved in another goal in the 63rd minute. The full back cut inside and shot straight at Takac, but he let the ball loose out of his hand before saving the rebound from Sadiq.
Parrot came on in the second half and was inches away from getting onto the scoresheet. A fantastic cross from Mijnans was headed just wide by the Irish striker.
Slovan had a man sent off near the end of the game, and again it was AZ defender Wouter Goes who was involved. The center back has built up a reputation for his provocative ways, with many attackers finding his actions to be disrespectful. This time, it was Slovan defender Sandro Cruz who responded, his arm slightly touching Goes’ face in the box. Goes went down, and the referee brandished the red card for Cruz.
The win tops off a successful week for the Alkmaarders. They had defeated Ajax 2- in Amsterdam on Saturday evening and were now able to avenge their embarrassing 4-0 loss to Cypriot side AEK Larnaca in the previous round of games.
