AZ Alkmaar will not reach the knockout rounds of the Europa League after they were defeated 2-1 at home by Partizan Belgrade.
- Follow Football-Oranje on Twitter
John van den Brom’s side went into the game bottom of the group and knowing that only a win would do if they had any chance of reaching the next round.
The early signs were positive for AZ as they controlled the game, and through Dabney dos Santos, Markus Henriksen and Joris van Overeem they created chances, but the opening goal eluded them.
Finally four minutes into the second half Dos Santos fired the home side ahead with an excellent finish at the back post and it seemed AZ would keep their hopes alive.
However Partizan leveled on 65 minutes through a Aboubakar Oumarou header and after Derrick Luckassen headed a late chance wide for AZ, Andrija Zivkovic sealed victory for the Serbian side.
AZ will now finish bottom of the group, regardless of what result they achieve against Athletic Bilbao in two weeks.
Follow
Follow @Footballoranje_ on Twitter
