AZ Alkmaar are into the Europa League quarter finals after a 0-0 draw with Anzhi in Russia put them through 1-0 on aggregate.
- By Michael Bell
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Dick Advocaat’s men started with five men at the back as they looked to protect the one goal they netted last week in the first leg, and the tactics worked as Anzhi struggled to break down the Dutch side.
It was AZ who had the best chance of the first half as Nemanja Gudelj curled a free kick off the post from just outside the box.
The second half saw Anzhi with a lot of possession, but the Russian side failed to create chances, and on the break AZ were dangerous with Steven Berghuis seeing a shot tipped away.
In the last minute of injury time with Anzhi attacking they were caught on the counter and with Berghuis through on goal, the winger was brought down just outside the box by Karlen Mkrtchyan, who was shown a straight red card.
AZ Alkmaar will now look forward to Friday’s quarter final draw where they could be paired up with the likes of Benfica, Lyon, Juventus and Valencia.
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