Published on 26 Oct 23, 20:40
ALKMAAR- AZ suffered a defeat in the UEFA Europa Conference League on Thursday evening. The score was 1-4 at home against Aston Villa FC. AZ had the necessary opportunities, but was taught in efficiency by the English. Ibrahim Sadiq scored the Alkmaar goal.
Mayckel Lahdo was missing at AZ due to a suspension. Sadiq started in the starting line-up for the Swede. For the attacker it meant his starting debut.
Disadvantage
AZ found itself behind early on. After thirteen minutes of play it was Leon Bailey who received the ball outside the box. The attacker remained calm and shot the ball against the ropes. AZ then also had a chance through Vangelis Pavlidis, but the Greek’s shot was no problem for Emiliano Martinez. On the other hand, it was an immediate hit. Youri Tielemans appeared in front of Mathew Ryan’s goal and scored.
Chances
AZ had a hard time, but did have a few chances to get back into the match. After 25 minutes, Pavlidis had the biggest chance for AZ. Aston Villa lost the ball sloppily and the striker had a free shooting opportunity, but his effort went over. Moments later, Pavlidis tapped in, but Myron Van Brederode had been offside before that, so the goal did not go through. AZ went to tea with a 0-2 deficit.
Worse
AZ came out of the dressing room well and put the English under good pressure, but the first best counter was immediately successful. Bailey’s shot was saved by Ryan, but Watkins then shot in the rebound. Just six minutes later the ball was back in the net. John McGinn tapped in from close range after a good cross. AZ faced an almost impossible task.
Sadiq
Yet hope returned to the AFAS Stadium. After 65 minutes of play, it was starting debutant Sadiq who beautifully shot the ball into the far corner. AZ smelled blood and took complete control of the match. Attempts by substitutes Jens Odgaard and Tiago Dantas went over and wide and a shot by Jordy Clasie also yielded nothing. AZ had seen quite a few chances throughout the match, but Aston Villa was simply more efficient.
MATCH CHARACTERISTICS
AZ – Aston Villa FC 1-4 (0-2)
UEFA Europa Conference League
AZ setup: Mathew Ryan; Yukinari Sugawara, Riechedly Bazoer, Alexandre Penetra (46. Bruno Martins Indi), David Møller Wolfe; Jordy Clasie, Sven Mijnans (46. Tiago Dantas), Dani de Wit (86. Djordje Mihailovic); Ibrahim Sadiq (67. Jens Odgaard), Vangelis Pavlidis, Myron van Brederode (67. Ruben van Bommel).
Aston Villa FC line-up: Emiliano Martinez; Matty Cash, Diego Carlos, Clément Lenglet, Lucas Digne; Boubacar Kamara (86. Leander Dendoncker), John McGinn (80. Moussa Diaby), Douglas Luiz (69. Nicolo Zaniolo), Youri Tielemans, Leon Bailey (86. Bertrand Traoré); Ollie Watkins (86. Jhon Duran).
Score progression: 13. Bailey 0-1, 23. Tielemans 0-2, 51. Watkins 0-3, 57. McGinn 0-4, 65. Sadiq 1-4.
Yellow cards: Mijnans, Clasie, Bazoer (AZ), Lenglet (Aston Villa).
Referee: Sven Jablonski.
WAS: Daniel Siebert.
Spectators: 16.633.
Contest
The post first appeared on www.az.nl