AZ can compete for the Conference League title until the end, according to CFR Cluj coach Dan Petrescu. The Romanian coach was impressed by the Alkmaarders after the defeat of his team (2-0) on Thursday evening in the AFAS Stadium.
Thanks to an early goal from Albert Gudmundsson, Cluj fell behind early during the Conference League match in Alkmaar. Vangelis Pavlidis closed the game on behalf of AZ just before time. “We played against the best team in this group and a team that can win the Conference League,” said Petrescu after the game. “It’s an incredible team with young players.”
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GoalAZ takes the lead very quickly!
ESPN #azclu #UECL pic.twitter.com/hMQExDrzXk
— ESPN NL (@ESPNnl) Nov 4, 2021
Two weeks ago, AZ managed to book a 0-1 victory over the Romanian champion in Cluj, with which the team of trainer Pascal Jansen already took a big step towards wintering in the Conference League. With the victory in Alkmaar, AZ has made a bigger gap on the competition and is more firmly in the lead in Group D. The Alkmaarders have five points more than number two Randers FC and six points more than Jablonec. On November 25, AZ awaits an away game in the Czech Republic.
Vangelis Pavlidis makes the 2-0 and ensures that AZ is almost certainly through in Europe #azclu #UECL pic.twitter.com/vN9jnVP9qw
— ESPN NL (@ESPNnl) Nov 4, 2021
Before the 2-0 defeat in Alkmaar, Petrescu also praised the opponent. “I am surprised that they are not in the top three in the Dutch competition,” said the former international. After a mediocre start to the season, AZ is currently ninth in the Eredivisie. However, the team has won four of its last five league matches. Despite Cluj’s poor starting position, Petrescu still holds hopes of qualifying behind AZ for the next round of the Conference League. “We only live for second place in the group.” Cluj is currently at the bottom of the group with one point from four matches, four points behind Jablonec.
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