AZ surprised last Thursday with the win against Napoli in the Europa League, but on Sunday it went wrong again in the Eredivisie. Arne Slot’s team, which despite the positive corona tests had access to a large part of the regular eleven, also lost a lead in the final phase of the away match against ADO Den Haag and so it remains to wait for AZ’s first victory in 2020 / 21: 2-2. After five matches, the counter is at five draws.

In the early stages, the game went up and down. However, it did not come to a played-out chance until the 21st minute. Albert Gudmundsson managed to get the ball over Luuk Koopmans, but the force majeure of ADO players prevented a goal. A few minutes later, a bet by Calvin Stengs went over the Hague goal. AZ continued to increase the pressure and Slot’s team was paid after 38 minutes of play.

The ball got stuck after a corner, after which Dani de Wit put the ball ready for Gudmundsson. The Icelander shot the leather with an almost careless foot movement into the intersection: 0-1. The visitors continued to hunt for a second goal until half time. For example, a bet by Jesper Karlsson in the short corner was turned by Koopmans. However, many AZ players tried to go for their own success early on.

After less than ten minutes in the second half, AZ got away well. Peet Bijen could head completely free-standing, but the jumping Marco Bizot unintentionally turned the ball with his cheek. AZ still had to allow the 1-1 after more than an hour of play when Milan van Ewijk worked the ball behind Bizot at the far post. After a corner from John Goossens, he shot the ball with a volley and a bounce to the ground. The last eight goals that AZ conceded in the Eredivisie were all made in the second half.

AZ took the lead two minutes later, however. Bijen pushed the ball into Karlsson’s feet and then let the left winger also shoot unimpeded. The ball hit the short corner: 1-2. Slot’s team failed to end the game. Gudmundsson was offered the ball on a silver platter, but the attacker went wide in an incomprehensible way.

AZ has received enough warnings in recent weeks that the victory could just be given away. A bet by David Philipp was a warning and a few minutes before the end the 2-2 fell. A low cross from Van Ewijk seemed to pass everyone by, but Michiel Kramer appeared at the far post. The substitute passed Bizot with the necessary fortune and put the equalizer on the board: 2-2.

It is the fourth time in a row that AZ has relinquished its lead in the Eredivisie. Earlier, Fortuna Sittard (3-3), Sparta Rotterdam (4-4) and VVV-Venlo (2-2) came back from beaten position against the team of trainer Arne Slot.