AZ’s line-up for the Conference League match with West Ham United has been announced. Trainer Pascal Jansen can again use Milos Kerkez and Jesper Karlsson, who return from a suspension and an injury respectively. Dani de Wit is part of the match selection but does not appear at kick-off, while Jens Odgaard is not part of the selection. The match starts at 9 p.m. and can be viewed on Veronica and ESPN 2.
Goalkeeper Mathew Ryan stands under the bar and sees a four-man defense in front of him. Yukinari Sugawara and Kerkez are placed in the back positions, while the defensive heart is formed by Sam Beukema and Pantelis Hatzidiakos. The midfield is formed by Tijjani Reijnders, Sven Mijnans and captain Jordy Clasie. In the front, Myron van Brederode (right) and Karlsson (left) have to provide the supply towards deepest striker Vangelis Pavlidis.
AZ had a sublime preparation for the duel with West Ham. Not only did the Alkmaarders sweep FC Emmen 5-1 off the mat, De Wit and Karlsson also made their comeback after injury. In addition, Kerkez returns to the selection, after he had to miss the first game with West Ham due to a suspension. As a result, Bruno Martins Indi is the only player still missing from the selection. AZ has a one goal deficit to make up for after the first leg and that Jansen’s team can do that was shown in the preliminary rounds of the Conference League against Dundee United. In Scotland, they lost 1-0, but the return in the AFAS Stadium was no less than 7-1.
West Ham had a less good weekend, as they lost 2-0 to Brentford. The Hammers however, took on a B-squad, as manager David Moyes’ side has escaped the relegation zone in recent weeks. West Ham is waiting on paper for a hot evening in North Holland. AZ has been unbeaten for 25 European home games in a row and has won its last thirteen European home games in regular playing time. West Ham has to do without Gianluca Scamacca in Alkmaar. The Italian former striker of PSV and PEC Zwolle is struggling with a knee injury. The winner of the diptych will compete in the final in Prague against the winner of FC Basel – Fiorentina. The Swiss won the first leg in Italy 1-2.
Setup AZ: Ryan; Sugawara, Beukema, Hatzidiakos, Kerkez; Reijnders, Mijnans, Clasie; Van Brederode, Pavlidis, Karlsson.
Lineup West Ham United: Areola; Kehrer, Zouma, Aguerd, Cresswell; Soucek, Rice, Lucas Paqueta; Bowen, Antonio, Behrahma.