Kenneth Perez does not have a good word for the level that CFR Cluj put on the mat against AZ in the Conference League on Thursday evening. The Romanians faced a 1-0 deficit at half-time due to a present from referee Alain Durieux, but were especially lucky that they were allowed to play the game with eleven men, after Denis Alibec committed an outrageous foul on Pantelis Hatzidiakos.
AZ took the lead against Cluj after four minutes, when Albert Gudmundsson controlled a cross from Jesper Karlsson with his arm and chest, before shooting diagonally. “With VAR, that goal is rejected,” said Pierre van Hooijdonk during the half-time of the game ESPN. “The assumption itself was almost perfect. He’s perfect when he doesn’t come on the arm. The finish is excellent. That’s what you want, such an early goal against such an annoying opponent. Then you do too little to distance to take from them.”
help?? Goal ?? AZ takes the lead very quickly! ?? ESPN #azclu #UECL pic.twitter.com/hMQExDrzXk
— ESPN NL (@ESPNnl) Nov 4, 2021
“But if it becomes 2-0, or 3-0, or 4-0, they will continue to be annoying”, Van Hooijdonk continues. “What a terrible team. There are a few idiots on the field. We saw a kick, that’s not even a tackle. Just a blind kick which is normally just red. He also just accepted the yellow card with pride,” he said. Van Hooijdonk on a foul by Alibec. The striker lost the ball to Hatzidiakos and then kicked the center back from behind.
The foul of Denis Alibec, who was only booked for a hard kick on Pantelis Hatzidiakos.
“It is a miracle that these guys have played Champions League football for so long”, presenter Jan Joost van Gangelen then breaks in. “I don’t think these players have played in the Champions League. At least not that Alibec”, Van Hooijdonk parries. Kenneth Perez was also amazed by the level of the Romanians. “This is professional football, isn’t it. This is a main tournament, I’ve been told. This is as amateur as it can be.”