AZ Alkmaar will have a huge challenge on their hands to reach the last four of the Europa Conference League this season, as they will need to bounce back from their 2-0 defeat in their opening leg against Anderlecht this week.
Europa Conference League Preview
AZ will have crucial home advantage for the second leg of the Europa Conference League last eight this week, as they bid to overturn a 2-0 loss suffered in Belgium last week. The Dutch side were completely outclassed in the first leg, as they deservedly lost 2-0. Anderlecht went ahead after just 22 minutes through Michael Amir Murillo, before a second was added with 20 minutes remaining by Majeed Ashimeru.
AZ offered little throughout that game on the road, as they managed just two shots on target. The Dutch side dominated the possession, but they clearly lacked the quality in the final third to pose many questions of the Belgian hosts. They will need to raise their game immeasurably for this return match in Holland on Thursday if they have any chance of reaching the last four.
The big advantage is certainly with the visitors coming into this second leg, and they will already believe that they have one foot in the last four of the competition after a fine 2-0 win on home soil last week.
Anderlecht was able to dictate the game after going ahead after just 22 minutes, and they then pounced on the counter-attack when chances presented themselves. The pressure will certainly be on AZ To score the first goal on Thursday, and that could play directly into Anderlecht’s hands in the Netherlands this week.
AZ Alkmaar vs Anderlecht Head to Head
This will only be the second time that these two clubs have squared off in European competition. The first meeting came in the opening leg last week, with Anderlecht recording a fine 2-0 home win. If they are able to avoid defeat on Thursday, then they will book their spot in the last four of the Europa Conference League this season.
AZ Alkmaar vs Anderlecht Prediction
The pressure will be on the home side on Thursday, as they must score the first goal in the game to stand any chance of threatening the Anderlecht advantage. However, we were disappointed with their quality in the final third last week, and we could see that being the area of their game that lets them down once again this week. Therefore, we will be siding with a narrow win for the team playing away from home.
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