AZ did excellent business in the Conference League on Thursday evening. Pascal Jansen’s team won difficult at home but deserved against Jablonec thanks to a goal from Albert Gudmundsson: 1-0. The Alkmaarders take the lead in Group D with four points from two matches, after the match between CFR Cluj and Randers ended in a draw (1-1).
Jansen chose to change his team in one place compared to the competition match with Go Ahead Eagles (5-0 win): Jordy Clasie came into the midfield instead of Tijjani Reijnders. Jablonec started stronger than AZ and made an attempt in the opening phase via Tomas Cvancara, who shot past from the corner of the penalty area.
Gudmundsson opens the score after a nice attack! ??
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#?? #AZJAB pic.twitter.com/y4t9csC3GJ— ESPN NL (@ESPNnl) September 30, 2021
AZ was fiercely chased by the Czechs and, to the frustration of the Alkmaar public, did not succeed at all in creating any danger. Jablonec tried through Jan Krob, who saw his shot from inside the penalty area blocked by Yukinari Sugawara. In the final phase of the first half, things suddenly started to improve at AZ and the pressure on Jablonec’s goal increased. Gudmundsson got the ball about six meters after Dani de Wit’s header, but saw goalkeeper Jan Hanus save on his bet.
Eight minutes after the break, AZ took the lead with a nice team goal. Jesper Karlsson served on the left flank Owen Wijndal who had come up, who with a low cross to the far post offered Gudmundsson a knock: 1-0. AZ could have increased the score, but Karlsson and Gudmundsson then aimed just wide. On the other side, Pantelis Hatzidiakos almost scored an own goal by shooting a cross into the own crossbar. The rebound fell at the feet of Martin Nespor, who should have scored but slammed over the ball. Gudmundsson had the decision on the shoe in the final phase after a good cross by Sugawara, but hit the crossbar from close by.
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