Standings: As of March 11, 2025, AZ Alkmaar stands as a pivotal factor of their 2024-2025 season. Competing in the Eredivisie, KNVB Cup, and UEFA Europa League, the team has skilled a combination of demanding situations and triumphs. Currently, they occupy the sixth position in the Eredivisie standings.
Eredivisie Performance
Current Standings
AZ Alkmaar’s role in the Eredivisie displays a season of fluctuating form. Occupying the sixth spot, they’ve collected a total of forty two factors from 26 matches, comprising 12 wins, 6 draws, and eight losses. The team has scored forty five goals and conceded 32, resulting in a goal distinction of +13. This status positions them inside the attainment of European opposition spots, even though consistency in the ultimate furniture is essential.
Notable Matches
AZ Alkmaar 9 – 1 SC Heerenveen (September 14, 2024): This match marked the club’s biggest victory in Eredivisie history. Troy Parrott added a wonderful performance, netting 4 goals and showcasing his placing prowess.
AZ Alkmaar 1 – 0 Ajax (November 2, 2024): A slender but enormous victory towards one of the league’s conventional powerhouses, demonstrating AZ’s functionality to compete at the best level.
PSV Eindhoven 3 – 2 AZ Alkmaar (January 18, 2025): A intensely contested match that highlighted each team’s attacking strengths and protective vulnerabilities.
KNVB Cup Journey
AZ Alkmaar has made a commendable run in the KNVB Cup, advancing to the semi-finals. Their adventure has been marked via means of tactical area and resilience.
Key Matches
Round of 16: A 2-1 victory over FC Utrecht, wherein midfielder Dani de Wit performed a pivotal role, scoring a goal and supporting another.
Quarter-Finals: A exciting 3-2 win towards Feyenoord, with winger Jesper Karlsson scoring a decisive overdue goal.
The upcoming semi-very last match towards PSV Eindhoven is incredibly anticipated, with enthusiasts longing for a berth in the very last.
UEFA Europa League Campaign
AZ Alkmaar’s European adventure has been a mix of demanding situations and top notch performances. Participating in the UEFA Europa League, they’ve confronted numerous opponents, showcasing their tactical adaptability.
League Phase Performance
Placed in an aggressive team, AZ confronted teams like IF Elfsborg, Athletic Bilbao, Tottenham Hotspur, Fenerbahçe, Galatasaray, Ludogorets Razgrad, AS Roma, and Ferencváros.
They secured great victories towards IF Elfsborg (3-2) and Fenerbahçe (3-1), even experiencing slender defeats to Tottenham Hotspur (0-1) and Athletic Bilbao (0-2). A exciting 3-4 loss to Ferencváros highlighted the team’s attacking aptitude however additional defensive lapses.
Knockout Phase
Knockout Play-offs: AZ confronted Galatasaray, securing a 4-1 domestic victory and a 2-2 away draw, progressing with a combination rating of 6-3.
Round of 16: A difficult tie towards Tottenham Hotspur awaits, with the primary leg scheduled on the AFAS Stadion. This match introduced importance as former Tottenham striker Troy Parrott now leads AZ’s attack.
Player Contributions
Troy Parrott: The Prolific Striker
Irish forward Troy Parrott has been instrumental in AZ’s attacking endeavors. Since his switch from Tottenham Hotspur for €4 million, Parrott has tailored seamlessly to the Eredivisie, turning into the team’s top scorer. His 4-goal haul towards SC Heerenveen stands proud as a season highlight.
Midfield Maestros
Dani de Wit: A dynamic presence in midfield, de Wit has contributed appreciably with essential goals and assists, mainly in home cup competitions.
Tijjani Reijnders: His imaginative and prescient and passing accuracy were pivotal in transitioning play from protection to attack.
Defensive Stalwarts
Pantelis Hatzidiakos: The Greek defender has showcased management on the back, organizing the protection and contributing to a wonderful goal distinction.
Yukinari Sugawara: Before his switch to Southampton for €7 million, Sugawara’s versatility and protective contributions had been critical to AZ’s early-season form.
Managerial Strategies
Maarten Martens’ Tactical Approach
Appointed as supervisor for the 2024-2025 season, Maarten Martens has carried out a bendy tactical system, regularly alternating among a 4-3-3 and 4-2-3-1 formation. This adaptability has allowed AZ to make the most of their opponents’ weaknesses effectively.
Emphasis on Youth Development
Continuing AZ’s tradition, Martens has incorporated younger abilities into the primary team, presenting them with precious enjoyment and fostering an aggressive environment.
Transfer Movements
Summer 2024 Arrivals
Troy Parrott: Acquired from Tottenham Hotspur for €4 million, Parrott has been a revelation in attack.
Riku Handa: The Japanese defender joined from Cerezo Osaka for €800,000, including intensity to the protective lineup.
Notable Departures
Vangelis Pavlidis: Transferred to Benfica for €18 million, Pavlidis’ departure turned into an enormous loss for AZ’s attacking options.
Remaining Fixtures and Expectations
Eredivisie Run-In
With only 8 matches left in the Eredivisie season, AZ Alkmaar face essential furniture as a way to decide their very last league role. Key upcoming matches include:
AZ Alkmaar vs. Feyenoord (March 15, 2025): A hard venture towards the identified contenders, wherein a victory ought to improve AZ’s European qualification hopes.
AZ Alkmaar vs. FC Twente (April 5, 2025): A direct struggle for the Europa League spots.
PSV Eindhoven vs. AZ Alkmaar (April 20, 2025): A match that might have enormous implications on AZ’s very last status.
AZ Alkmaar vs. NEC Nijmegen (May 12, 2025): The ultimate recreation of the season, which may be essential for securing a top-4 end.
AZ will want to preserve consistency in those fixtures to make sure they end in the Europa League qualification zone.
Europa League Aspirations
Having reached the Round of 16, AZ Alkmaar faces Tottenham Hotspur in a high-stakes battle. A victory could ship them into the quarter-finals, marking one in every of their high-quality European campaigns in recent years. Success on this opposition could now no longer handily decorate the membership’s popularity, however additionally stable an automatic spot in subsequent season’s UEFA Europa League.
KNVB Cup Glory?
With a semi-very last conflict in opposition to PSV Eindhoven, AZ Alkmaar has a sturdy danger of attaining the KNVB Cup very last. Winning the trophy could now no longer be a massive morale booster however could additionally assure a Europa League spot for subsequent seasons.
Fan Reactions and Support
AZ Alkmaar enthusiasts have remained passionate in the course of the season, with the AFAS Stadion frequently filled with supporters. The membership’s European performances, mainly the dominant 4-1 win in opposition to Galatasaray, were met with enthusiasm, and expectancies are high for the very last segment of the season.
Social media systems have additionally visible a surge in discussions of AZ’s top performers, with Troy Parrott receiving sizable reward for his goal-scoring exploits.
When will AZ Alkmaar gain a trophy?
The ultimate time AZ Alkmaar gained a trophy came in the 2022–23 season, after they clinched the UEFA Youth League title with their U19 team. However, in terms of senior team silverware, their most recent main trophy became the KNVB Cup in the 2012–13 season after defeating PSV Eindhoven 2-1 in the very last.
Their ultimate Eredivisie identity got here in the 2008–09 season, under the control of Louis van Gaal.
Recent Results
March 2, 2025: SC Heerenveen 3 – 1 AZ Alkmaar
AZ Alkmaar confronted a tough away match in opposition to SC Heerenveen, ensuing in a 3-1 defeat.
March 6, 2025: AZ Alkmaar 1 – 0 Tottenham Hotspur
In the primary leg of the UEFA Europa League Round of 16, AZ secured a slender victory over Tottenham Hotspur at home.
Upcoming Fixtures
March 13, 2025: Tottenham Hotspur vs. AZ Alkmaar
The 2d leg of the UEFA Europa League Round of 16 will take place at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, with kick-off scheduled for 8:00 PM UTC.
March 16, 2025: AFC Ajax vs. AZ Alkmaar
AZ Alkmaar will journey to Amsterdam to stand Ajax in an Eredivisie match.
March 29, 2025: NEC Nijmegen vs. AZ Alkmaar
An away fixture in the Eredivisie in opposition to NEC Nijmegen is scheduled.
In summary
AZ Alkmaar’s 2024-2025 season has been a rollercoaster, with outstanding wins, European ambitions, and a strong run in home competitions. With key matches ahead, the membership has the possibility to complete on a high note, securing European football for subsequent seasons and probably including silverware to their cabinet.
FAQs
How has AZ completed in the Europa League this season?
AZ has improved to the Round of 16, wherein they may face Tottenham Hotspur. Their high-quality team-degree overall performance covered a 3-1 win over Fenerbahçe.
Who are the standout gamers for AZ Alkmaar this season?
Troy Parrott (Striker) – Top scorer and key attacking force.
Dani de Wit (Midfielder) – Instrumental in midfield with goals and assists.
Pantelis Hatzidiakos (Defender) – Defensive leader.
How can AZ enthusiasts watch their matches live?
Fans can watch AZ Alkmaar matches via ESPN NL, Ziggo Sport, and UEFA Europa League broadcasts, in addition to AZ’s respectable streaming service.
What are AZ Alkmaar’s essential targets for the relaxation of the season?
Finish in the top 5 to qualify for Europe.
Win the KNVB Cup to secure a Europa League spot.
Advance similarly in the Europa League, probably attaining the quarter-finals or beyond.
To read more, click here
