UEFA Europa League - AZ Alkmaar VS Galatasaray Preview
UEFA Europa League - AZ Alkmaar VS Galatasaray
Match Time:14-02-2025 04:00 Friday (GMT+8)
Football Livescore | Match Prediction & Tips
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AZ Alkmaar
AZ had a balanced performance in the group stage of the Europa League, registering 3 wins, 3 losses, and 2 draws, with a goal difference of 13:13. However, this cannot be regarded as an achievement for the Dutch club, which ultimately finished 19th and is now required to participate in the playoffs. These results aptly reflect the current state of the season for AZ. Their only silver lining has been reaching the semifinals of the KNVB Cup, which is more down to a favorable fixture schedule than their own merit. In the Eredivisie, AZ occupies the 4th position but has played one match more than 5th-placed Feyenoord and 6th-placed Twente. The club did well in transfer dealings, netting 18 million euros from the transfer of Pavlidis to Benfica, but this has also highlighted a lack of ambition as AZ seems more focused on generating income rather than investing significantly to strengthen the squad.
With such an approach, it is difficult to expect any extraordinary feats from the coaching staff and players. They could perform slightly better, but given their financial standing and player level, AZ is at best the 4th team in the Netherlands, meaning they are occupying their rightful position.
Galatasaray
Galatasaray currently leads the Turkish league and has performed decently in the Europa League, finishing 14th in the group stage. However, coach Okan Buruk finds himself constantly on the brink of dismissal. While the Turkish giant's results aren't terrible, the quality of play has disappointed many, failing to meet the ambitious standards set by the club's management and fans. Substantial investments have been made in Galatasaray, and they are expected to compete in the Champions League or at least make a strong showing in the Europa League. Nonetheless, the team has struggled in recent outings, failing to secure a win in their last 4 European matches (3 draws, including one against AZ, and 1 loss). A particularly painful memory for fans is a home draw against Dynamo Kyiv (3-3), where Galatasaray squandered a 3-1 lead, leading to a groundswell of dissatisfaction among supporters demanding Buruk's dismissal for failing to maximize the players' potential.
Yet, the challenge remains: if Buruk is dismissed, who would take over? Despite numerous talented managers in Turkish football, the peculiarities of the league—corruption, referee scandals, feuds among clubs, and volatile fans—make it difficult for foreign coaches to thrive. Fenerbahce recently hired Jose Mourinho, but his arrival has not improved their performance, which is worse than that of Galatasaray.
Nevertheless, Buruk's time is not limitless. If Galatasaray is eliminated by AZ in the Europa League, he may have to say goodbye. At best, he could finish the season, but to remain beyond that wish, he must deliver surprises in this year's European competitions, especially since winning the domestic league is the bare minimum expectation for the season.
AZ Alkmaar possible starting lineup:
Owusu-Oduro; Kasius, Goes, Penetra, Wolfe; Clasie, Koopmeiners; Addai, Mijnans, Lahdo; Parrott
Galatasaray possible starting lineup:
Muslera; Ayhan, Cuesta, Bardakci, Kutlu; Sara, Demirbay; Sallai, Mertens, Yilmaz; Morata
AZ Alkmaar vs Galatasaray Head-To-Head and Key Numbers
This will be the second-ever encounter between AZ Alkmaar and Galatasaray, with both sides playing out a 1-1 draw when they first met in the group-stage phase back in November.
Galatasaray have lost just one of their last 29 matches across all competitions while picking up 20 wins and eight draws since late August.
AZ Alkmaar have won all but one of their last nine home games, with a 2-1 defeat against Sparta Rotterdam on January 26 being the exception.
Galatasaray are on a run of four consecutive Europa League games without a win, claiming three draws and losing once since November’s 3-2 victory over Tottenham Hotspur.
Prediction: AZ Alkmaar 1-1 Galatasaray
Both teams have scored in all eight of Galatasaray's Europa League fixtures this season, with their games seeing more goals than any other teams in the League Phase (35), while both sides have scored in four of AZ Alkmaar's last five matches in the competition. Goals at both ends are therefore expected, but as these two teams are keen to not lose and remain in the tie ahead of next week's second leg, we can see the spoils being shared once again at the AFAS Stadio
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