AZ Alkmaar head to Austria looking to book their place in the next round of the Europa League. However, it will be no easy task against an in-form LASK Linz. Kick-off is 5.55pm.
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Last week in Alkmaar, AZ struggled to impose themselves against the Austrian Bundesliga leaders and escaped a loss thanks to a late Teun Koopmeieners penalty.
AZ now head to Austria needing to score at least once to keep their hopes of reaching the last 16 alive. That will be no easy task against a side playing with plenty of confidence at the moment.
LASK Linz hammered ST Polten 4-1 at the weekend and haven’t lost a home game since the 1st of December. AZ must also take warning from the 4-1 defeat that PSV suffered in Linz earlier this season.
The good news for Arne Slot is that his side ended a three-game streak without a win on Sunday as they defeated PEC Zwolle 2-0 at the AFAS Stadion.
Ahead of the game, Slot told his press conference, “LASK is strong in-house.
“They have won against Sporting Portugal and PSV. We have experienced how strong they are against us. We think we can do better, and to be honest, I think they think so of themselves, and then we see who goes on at the end “
Slot also feels Myron Boadu is his secret weapon,”I have gotten used to the fact that Myron Boadu always scores in important competitions, which gives me extra confidence. “
Team News
AZ are still without centre-back trio Stijn Wuytens, Pantelis Hatzidiakos and Ron Vlaar, meaning Koopmeiners may need to fill in at the back once again. Fredrik Midtso returns after being suspended for the first-leg.
Possible AZ line-up: Bizot, Svensson, Wijndal, Leeuwin, Koopmeiners, Midtso, Clasie, De Wit, Idrissi, Stengs, Boadu
LASK Linz have no fresh injury concerns and were able to rest a few players at the weekend ahead of the second leg.
Possible LASK line-up: Schlager, Ranftl, Renner, Filipovic, Trauner, Ramsebner, Holland, Michorl, Goiginger, Frieser, Raguz
Odds
LASK Linz 5/6 Draw 11/4 AZ 16/5
Can AZ make the last 16?
AZ face a huge task on Thursday to reach the last 16 after failing to seal a victory in the first-leg.
Slot’s side have been hit with defensive injuries recently and their centre-back options are depleted. That is not a good sign ahead of a clash against a free-scoring side that has already torn PSV apart this season.
AZ need to keep it tight and aim to hit the Austrians on the counter through the likes of Boadu and Stengs, who need to have a good night up front.
Conceding an away goal last week may have been killer but if AZ can get their noses in front then anything is possible for a side that has already caused several shocks this season.
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