The tension in group F of the Europa League can be cut, because after three rounds of play, no fewer than three teams jointly lead with six points. Two of those teams are AZ and Real Sociedad, so the meeting in the Afas Stadium in Alkmaar is a key match in all respects.
AZ:
AZ was of course the big trendsetter of the Eredivisie last season, which was ultimately not finished due to the corona virus. This year, the team of trainer Arne Slot has a provisional seventh place significantly more difficult, although the Alkmaarders are slowly but surely getting back into shape with three league victories in a row. Yet the team is still far from the level of last year in terms of field play. AZ largely relies on young talents such as Teun Koopmeiners (22 years old), Owen Wijndal (20), Calvin Stengs (21) and Myron Boadu (19). These are all potential toppers, but they still have a long way to go. Boadu in particular is struggling with its shape.
Nevertheless, AZ in Europe is performing above expectations. The Alkmaarders immediately managed to stunt in their first group match by beating Napoli with 0-1 in the San Paolo, and a week later they were also in charge of Rijeka with 4-1. Despite a narrow 1-0 defeat, the red shirts had no chance at a visit to Real Sociedad in San Sebastian. ‘We will have to look better on Thursday evening,’ says Slot.
Real Sociedad:
Real Sociedad is of course always in the shadow of the traditional top three in Spain, but we cannot ignore the fact that the Basques are in an absolute top season. What’s called: after ten rounds of play, the club from San Sebastian is even in the lead in LaLiga! Imanol Alguacil’s team only had to give up once in ten league matches and managed to win its last six league matches one by one. Also in the Europa League, the Spaniards still have everything in their own hands with six points from three group duels, although they did not really get loose in a European context with two small victories over Rijeka (0-1) and AZ (1-0).
Due to the current position in group F, the second meeting with AZ is also crucial for Real Sociedad’s European ambitions, so Alguacil is expected to bring a strong team to the kick-off. However, the visitors will have to do without playmaker David Silva, who was unable to endure last weekend’s game at Cadiz (0-1) unscathed. The young talent Roberto Lopez is one of the candidates to replace him.
