AZ suffered a huge blow in qualifying for the last 32 of the Europa League this evening after losing to Israeli side Maccabi Tel Aviv.
- By Michael Statham
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AZ continued their disappointing current form with a flat performance and fell behind in the first-half to a wonderful goal from Ezequiel Scarione. The Argentine controlled a ball over the top and smashed in beyond helpless goalkeeper Sergio Rochet.
The Dutch side began the second-half much like the first, and were fortunate not to be further behind once Vidar Orn Kjartansson missed two great opportunities. One called Rochet into action and the second saw the Icelander miss from two yards out with the goal gaping.
AZ’s first meaninful chance came from substitute Levi Garcia, who shot marginally wide. It didn’t spell pressure from the home side, but the Alkmaarers did level the score moments later. Hero from the weekend, Robert Muhren, headed in Ilias Bel Hassani’s cross.
Instead of going on to win the game, AZ conceded again later in the match. Eyal Golasa was afforded the time and space to fire past Rochet, condemning AZ to another Europa League defeat. They now lie bottom of their group with only one point from three matches.