AZ Alkmaar vs. Roma | Europa League | League Stage | Pre Match
AZ Alkmaar vs. Roma
Separated by a mere point in the standings of the Europa League, AZ Alkmaar and Roma are set to clash on Thursday, each with the ambition of securing a top-eight finish to bypass an additional playoff round. As the league phase of the season heads into its final stretch, with only two games remaining, both teams currently find themselves in playoff positions but are perilously close to dropping into the less desirable elimination spots. This match is not just about gaining points; it's about survival in the competition and potentially simplifying their route to the knockout stages.
AZ Alkmaar's journey in the Europa League this season has been marked by a commendable consistency, having achieved two wins, two draws, and two losses from their six matches. Their goal tally stands at an equal nine scored and conceded, which places them within the top 24 teams of the tournament. With eight points after a 2-2 draw against Ludogorets in Bulgaria last month, AZ are still very much in the race for a direct qualification to the knockout rounds. However, the frustration of leading by two goals only to settle for a draw has left them with just a one-point cushion above the automatic elimination zone.
Coach Maarten Martens will be demanding maximum points from their upcoming home fixture, buoyed by AZ's formidable home record in European competitions. Including qualifiers, they have only lost two out of their last 34 European matches at home, securing 22 victories. This statistic underlines the fortress-like nature of their home ground, which could play a pivotal role in their final league phase game. Moreover, AZ's domestic form in the Eredivisie, where they sit sixth, adds to the optimism, having gone unbeaten in their last seven domestic matches. This resilience at home, combined with an unbeaten record against Italian teams in UEFA competitions, suggests AZ could have the upper hand, especially given their historical encounters with Italian giants like Inter Milan, Udinese, Napoli, and Lazio.
On the other side, Roma, under the guidance of the experienced Claudio Ranieri, are looking to capitalize on a recent upturn in form. Roma's history with Dutch teams has generally been favorable, losing only once in their last 12 encounters, with a notable victory against Feyenoord in the first-ever Conference League final. However, this season's Europa League campaign has been less stellar for the Giallorossi; they've managed two wins, three draws, and one loss. Amidst considerable off-pitch turmoil, the team has shown signs of revival, especially highlighted by a dominant performance against Braga before the winter break, where they unleashed 34 shots, half of which were on target, in a 3-0 victory.
Roma now find themselves just two points shy of the automatic qualification spots, meaning victories against both AZ and their final matchday opponents, Eintracht Frankfurt, are crucial for a direct passage to the last 16. Their recent form in Serie A has been encouraging, with an unbeaten run extended to six matches, including a significant win in the Derby della Capitale against Lazio and a convincing victory over Genoa. This has propelled them to ninth in the league standings, with a Coppa Italia quarter-final against AC Milan on the horizon, adding to the stakes of their European endeavor.
For AZ, the absence of their top scorer in the Europa League, Ruben van Bommel, due to injury, is a significant blow. Alongside him, winger Ibrahim Sadiq and long-term absentee Sem Westerveld will not feature, but coach Martens can count on the rest of his squad. The responsibility upfront likely falls to Troy Parrott, who, despite his recent accolade as the Eredivisie Player of the Month for December, has yet to find the net since the winter break. His performance could be critical in this high-stakes encounter.
On the Roma side, the attacking line might see Artem Dovbyk and Paulo Dybala, both in form, although Ranieri might opt to rest one or both, considering the upcoming league game against Udinese. Fringe players like Mario Hermoso, Tommaso Baldanzi, and Eldor Shomurodov could see action, providing Ranieri with the option to rotate his squad. The timely return of Bryan Cristante and captain Lorenzo Pellegrini to training adds depth and leadership back into the lineup, enhancing Roma's prospects.
This match encapsulates the essence of European football at this stage of the competition - where every point is monumental, and every game could define the trajectory of a team's season. For AZ, it's about leveraging their home advantage and historical performance against Italian teams to secure a vital win. For Roma, it's about maintaining their resurgence under Ranieri, blending experience with fresh legs, and ensuring they leave Alkmaar with a result that keeps their European dreams alive. Both teams are at a crossroads where the outcome of this match could either propel them forward or force them into the arduous path of additional playoffs.
