Nick Viergever looks back on the FC Utrecht game with a good feeling. “We were very effective,” the captain tells Ziggo Sport. “We could have made a few more, but it is a good result. We have to be very satisfied with this.”
Victor Jensen is on Dreef at FC Utrecht. He only has to tolerate Ricky van Wolfswinkel on the European top scorers list of all time of the Domstedelingen.
Troy Parrott has been on track in recent weeks. The Irishman is the first AZ player since Mounir El Hamdaoui in 2009 who scores seven games in a row.
Last! It is also done in Bosnia and Herzegovina. FC Utrecht wins 0-2 at Zrinjski Mostar thanks to a striking penalty from David Min and a goal from Victor Jensen.
Last! AZ wins 0-2 at Levski Sofia and creates an excellent starting position for the return in Alkmaar. Ibrahim Sadiq and Troy Parrott score in the second half for the Alkmaarders.
90+4 ‘Red Zrinjski! In the final phase, the home team must continue with ten men after a second yellow card for Mamic.
90 ‘There will be five minutes of injury time in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Can FC Utrecht further expand the lead?
86 ‘There, FC Utrecht escapes the connection goal of Zrinjski. A low shot from Mikic just goes wrong.
85 ‘Goal FC Utrecht! 0-2
Jensen doubles the lead in the final phase. The Dane heads out of a cross from Zechiel.
85 ‘Smit tries it with a slider from a distance, but the AZ midfielder cannot surprise the goalkeeper of Levski.
78 ‘there is Haller. The Ivorian striker appears in the field min.
80 ‘ Lat! And again AZ escapes a counter goal. A free kick by Everton Bala from great distance ends up on the bar through the hands of Owusu-Oduro.
77 ‘AZ gets away well: first Kasius is eliminating the danger and then goalkeeper Owusu-Oduro.
AZ is celebrating the opening goal of Ibrahim Sadiq.
64 ‘Another possibility for FC Utrecht. Substitute Rodríguez takes the ball in the sixteen, but cannot put enough force behind his shot. In the meantime, the field is starting to get pretty wet.
62 ‘Goal AZ! 0-2
It goes fast in Sofia. Parrott doubles the lead from a rebound, after Levski goalkeeper Vutsov had brought salvation on a shot from Koopmeiners.
58 ‘Levski Sofia is close to the equalizer. Petkov gets out of Bulgaren, but Owusu-Oduro is in class.
55 ‘Goal AZ! 0-1
At the first big chance of the competition, it is immediately hit for AZ. Sadiq heads in contrast to a cross from the left of Jensen.
53 ‘practice, there is almost 0-2. Jensen heads on goal after a cross from El Karouani, but the goalkeeper of Zrinjski has a nice salvation in the house.
50 ‘ pole and bar! FC Utrecht gets away well in the opening phase of the first half when a bet by Bilbija ends up on the post. Moments later, a cross from Mikic ends up on the top of the bar.
49 ‘AZ gets a free kick: Jensen shoots just wide from a great distance.
47 ‘At FC Utrecht, El Karouani came into the field. He tries it just after the break, but his shot ends up in the hands of the goalkeeper.
Joy at FC Utrecht after the striking penalty of David Min.
Rest! FC Utrecht leads halfway with 0-1 at Zrinjski Mostar thanks to a striking penalty from Min and AZ is still 0-0 at Levski Sofia.
45+1 ‘ Lat! There is almost the 0-2 for FC Utrecht. A shot from Jonathans ends up on the top of the bar via a defender and the keeper of Zrinjski.
38 ‘Goal FC Utrecht! 0-1
Mine uses the opportunity for FC Utrecht. The striker shoots hard towards the top left corner. The keeper of Zrinjski can still put his hand against it, but not enough to prevent the 0-1.
37 ‘ Penalty FC Utrecht! On the advice of the VAR, the Domstedelingen will receive a penalty because of hands from a defender of Zrinjski after a pass from Voerlund.
35 ‘In Bulgaria it is still 0-0. We’ve been waiting for a chance for a while.
29 ‘FC Utrecht gets away well. Goalkeeper Barkas saves on a shot from Dujmovic.
21 ‘Min gets another chance to take the lead. This time the striker shoots from a distance and the goalkeeper of Zrinjski has a lot of trouble taking the ball.
20 ‘What happens here? Zrinjski Mostar gets a free kick, but Pranjic shoots the ball against the referee.
15 ‘AZ had a hard time with the Bulgarians in the opening phase, but slowly but surely plays under pressure. That leads to an opportunity for De Wit, who shoots in the side net.
10 ‘Sadiq gets injured at AZ and goes to the side. The Ghanais can eventually continue.
7 ‘The first big chance of the competition is for FC Utrecht. David Min gets the chance to head out of a Viergever on goal, but he completely misses the ball.
At Levski Sofia we see an old acquaintance: Julio Velázquez is the trainer of the Bulgarian team. The Spaniard was in charge of Fortuna Sittard in the 2022/2023 Fortuna.
AZ also played against Levski Sofia in the past. In 1980 the Alkmaarders in the second round of the UEFA Cup were too strong for the Bulgarians. AZ played 1-1 draw in the first game and won the return 5-0. The first goal from Pier Tol can be seen on the photo.
Zrinjski Mostar previously not only won from FC Utrecht in a European tournament, but also from AZ. The Bosnians defeated the Alkmaarders in 2023 with 4-3 in the group stage of the Conference League. Later AZ won the home game against Zrinsjki 1-0.
It is not the first time that Zrinjski Mostar and FC Utrecht face each other in the preliminary rounds of the Europa League. In 2019, the Domstedelingen lost the diptych with the Bosnians in the second preliminary round after extension.
At AZ, Rome-Jayden Owusu-Oduro makes its first European minutes of this season. Isak Jensen replaces the suspended Ro-Zangelo Daal and Peer Koopmeiners takes the place of the injured Sven Mijnans.
AZ setup: Owusu-Oduro; Kasius, Goes, Penetra, De Wit; Clasie, Smit, Koopmeers; Sadiq, Parrott, Jensen
FC Utrecht trainer Ron Jans comes with a number of surprising names in his setup. Niklas Vesterlund, Derry John Murkin and Milano Jonathans appear at the kick -off at the Domstedelingen. Sébastien Haller starts as expected on the couch.
FC Utrecht: Barkas; Vesterlund, van der Hoorn, Viergever, Murkin; Engwanda, Jensen, Zechiel; Jonathans, Min, Blake
FC Utrecht Plays Tonight in Bosnia and Herzegovina Against Zrinjski Mostar in the Final Preliminary Round of the Europa League. AZ Visits Bulgaran Levski Sofia in the Final Preliminary Round of the Conference League. It is the first leg in the play-offs for both Dutch clubs.
** Translation: **
Nick Viergever Looks Back on FC Utrecht’s match with a good feeling. “We were very effective,” The Captain Tells Ziggo Sport . “We could have made a few more, but it’s a good result. We should be very satisfied with this.”
Victor Jensen is on a roll at FC Utrecht. He only has Ricky van Wolfswinkel Ahead of Him on the all-time European Top Scorers List for the Domstedelingen.
Troy Parrott Has Been on a Roll in recent weeks. The Irishman is the First AZ Player Since Mounir El Hamdaoui in 2009 to score in Seven Consecutive Matches.
Finished! It is also about in Bosnia and Herzegovina. FC Utrecht Wins 0-2 at Zrinjski Mostar thanks to a nice penalty from David min and a goal from Victor Jensen.
Finished! AZ Wins 0-2 at Levski Sofia and Creates An Excellent Starting Position for the Return in Alkmaar. Ibrahim Sadiq and Troy Parrott Score in the Second Half for the Alkmaarders.
90+4 ‘Red Zrinjski! The home team must continue with in the Final Phase after A Second Yellow Card for Mamic.
90 ‘There Will Be Five Minutes of Injury Time in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Can FC Utrecht Further Extend the Lead?
86 ‘FC Utrecht Escapes the Connecting Goal from Zrinjski. A Low Shot from Mikic Goes Just Wide.
85 ‘Goal FC Utrecht! 0-2
Jensen Doubles the Lead in the Final Phase. The Dane Heads in From A Cross From Zechiel.
85 ‘Smit Tries it with a slider from distance, but the AZ Midfielder Cannot Surprise the Levski goalkeeper.
78 ‘There is Haller. The Ivorian Striker Comes Into The Field for Min.
80 ‘ cross bar! And again AZ Escapes A Goal Against. A free kick by Everton Bala from Long Range Ends Up on the Crossbar via the Hands of Owusu-Oduro.
77 ‘AZ Gets Away Well: First Kasius Clears the Danger and Then Goalkeeper Owusu-Oduro.
AZ Celebrates Ibrahim Sadiq’s opening goal.
64 ‘Another Opportunity for FC Utrecht. Substitute Rodríguez Accepts The Ball In The Sixteen, But Cannot Put Enough Power Behind His Shot. The Field is Getting QUITE WAMIT IN THE MEANTIME.
62 ‘Goal AZ! 0-2
Things are going fast in Sofia. Parrott Doubles the lead from a rebound, after Levski goalkeeper Vutsov had saved a shot from koopmeiners.
58 ‘Levski Sofia is close to the equalizer. Petkov Shoots on Behalf of the Bulgarians, But Owusu-Oduro is on the alert.
55 ‘Goal AZ! 0-1
AZ Immediately Scores on the First Big Chance of the Match. Sadiq Heads in Against the Direction From a Cross From the Left by Jensen.
53 ‘practice, there is Almost the 0-2. Jensen Heads on Goal After a Cross From El Karouani, But The Goalkeeper of Zrinjski Has a Fine Save.
50 ‘ Post and cross bar! FC Utrecht Gets away well in the opening phase of the first half when a bet from bilbija ends up on the post. Moments later, a cross from Mikic Ends Up on top of the crossbar.
49 ‘AZ Gets A Free Kick: Jensen Shoots Just Wide from Long Range.
47 ‘El Karouani Has Entered the Field at FC Utrecht. He tries it shortly after half time, but his shot ends up in the hands of the goalkeeper.
Joy at FC Utrecht After David Min’s Penalty.
Rest! FC Utrecht Leads 0-1 halfway through Against Zrinjski Mostar thanks to a penalty from Min and AZ is still at 0-0 Against Levski Sofia.
45+1 ‘ cross bar! There is Almost the 0-2 for FC Utrecht. A shot from Jonathans ends up on the top of the crossbar via a defender and the goalkeeper of Zrinjski.
38 ‘Goal FC Utrecht! 0-1
Min Takes the Opportunity for FC Utrecht. The Striker Shoots Hard Towards The Top Left Corner. The goalkeeper of Zrinjski can still put his hand against it, but not enough to prevent the 0-1.
37 ‘ Penalty FC Utrecht! On the advice of VAR, the Domstedelingen are awarded a penalty due to hands from a defender of Zrinjski after a pass from Vesterlund.
35 ‘It is still 0-0 in Bulgaria. We have bone waiting for a chance for a while.
29 ‘FC Utrecht Gets Away Well. Goalkeeper Barkas Saves a Shot from Dujmovic.
21 ‘min Gets Another Chance to Put FC Utrecht Ahead. This time the striker shoots from distance and the goalkeeper of Zrinjski has QUITE A BIT of trouble catching the ball.
20 ‘What is happening here? Zrinjski Mostar Gets a Free Kick, But Pranjic Shoots The Ball Against the referee.
15 ‘AZ had a hard time with the bulgarians in the opening phase, but is slowly but surely playing its way out of the pressure. This leads to an opportunity for De Wit, who shoots into the side netting.
10 ‘Sadiq is kured at az and goes to the side. The Ghanaian can be possible continuously.
7 ‘The First Big Chance of the Match is for FC Utrecht. David Min Gets The Chance to Head on Goal From A Cross From Viergever, But He Misses The Ball Completing.
At Levski Sofia We See An Old Acquaintance: Julio Velázquez is the coach of the Bulgaran Team. The Spaniard coached Fortuna Sittard in the 2022/2023 Season.
AZ HAS also Played Against Levski Sofia in the Past. In 1980, The Alkmaarders were too Strong for the Bulgarianans in the Second Round of the Uefa Cup. AZ Drew 1-1 in the first leg and won the return leg 5-0. The Photo Shows Pier Tol’s First Goal.
Zrinjski Mostar PreviOutly won not only Against FC Utrecht in a European Tournament, but also Against AZ. The Bosnians Defeated the Alkmaarders 4-3 in the Group Stage of the Conference League in 2023. Later, AZ won the Home Match Against Zrinsjki 1-0.
It is not the first time that Zrinjski Mostar and FC Utrecht Have Faced Each Other in the Preliminary Rounds of the Europa League. In 2019, The Domstedelingen Lost the Two-Parter With The Bosnians in the Second Preliminary Round After Extra Time.
At AZ, Rome-Jayden Owusu-Oduro Makes His First European Minutes of This Season. Isak Jensen Replaces the Suspended Ro-Zangelo Daal and Peer Koopmeiners Takes the Place of the Injured Sven Mijnans.
AZ line-up: Owusu-Oduro; Kasius, Goes, Penetra, De Wit; Clasie, Smit, Koopmeers; Sadiq, Parrott, Jensen
FC Utrecht Coach Ron Jans Comes Up With a Number of Surprising Names In His Line-Up. Niklas Vesterlund, Derry John Murkin and Milano Jonathan’s Appear at the Kick-off at the Domstedelingen. Sébastien Haller Starts As Expected on the Bench.
FC Utrecht Line-up: Barkas; Vesterlund, van der Hoorn, Viergever, Murkin; Engwanda, Jensen, Zechiel; Jonathans, Min, Blake
FC Utrecht Plays Tonight in Bosnia and Herzegovina Against Zrinjski Mostar in the Final Preliminary Round of the Europa League. AZ Visits Bulgaran Levski Sofia in the Final Preliminary Round of the Conference League. It is the first leg in the play-offs for both Dutch clubs.