Highlights: AZ - Sparta Rotterdam | Eredivisie 2022/2023

Sparta is almost certain to make the playoffs 46 points after 27 matches Two points less than FC Twente Four points more than FC Utrecht Making his debut with Alkmaar Zaanstreek Max Meerdink 19 years old He turns 20 in July And he is the substitute for Pavlidis the main absentee tonight in the spotlight Pavlidis is sitting on the bench but isn't fit enough to start I also have Carlsen in AZ Carlsen and Pavlidis together have scored 17 goals in this season in the Eredivisie Sparta is again facing a goalkeeper crisis There where a former AZ player is standing between the posts But first let's look at the home team's formation Matthew Ryan is their goalkeeper Michaelovic has a base position He plays on the left side Odgaard from the right Max Meerdink up front Met Meijnans was there shortly after Reinders and Klaasie those are the other midfielders The count of Sparta With a base camp then for Younes Namli A attacking midfield with Quito Lano as the most defensive player in Maurice Stein's midfield First starting position for Younes Namli Since February 12 When he was in the starting line-up against Go Ahead Eagles Reinders could speed up for AZ And almost no one can keep up with him Van Krooijen is going after him But he doesn't get close This is the first opportunity for Max Meerdink in the race Kees Kist with Christen Niegaard The top scorers of the 80-81 season When AZ won the double And reached the final of the UEFA Cup tournament Ipswich Town lost Sugawara Mijnands into the corner Then Odgaard can come in Sugawara is also coming Here is Odgaard Sugawara Good attack by AZ Meerdink almost put in position by Michailovic Eerdhuizen took too much risk here Sparta plays like this That's pretty sloppy in the first part Meynands A lovely shot But also a good save by Olay Had his old team been able to cause pain there Meynands Here is the Krooy team's ball possession But the referee has seen a foul So this is no longer necessary The ball changed direction and went in But an infringement had already been committed In relation to Hatzidiakos Lauritsen keeps his distance And gets Yellow from Makkelie Van Meerdink to extend the ball Now it was found by Klaasie And then he goes over it with Kitolano Max Meerdink is in the lead Not anymore For Michailovic It's been a close match so far Between AZ and Sparta With not a lot of good football Nor from his team Verschuren is making a mistake Kerkes takes over And then there is room for Kerkes Meerdink Built for Reinders Meerdink does it that way That's also fine And that's a real opportunity Miloš Kerkes But don't get caught between the posts Burns Smart pass Meant for Saito who appears there Ryan ducked under the ball Namly Balverlies Zordig He should be able to get the ball to Verschuren But he pulls back here Eventually Reinders Tidjani Reinders Kitolano is in trouble But nothing else is wrong There is more life in the brewery now Odgaard After a great pass from Reinders Next opportunity for AZ Goodextension Rental Saito Lauritsen by the second post And the goal for Sparta How free he is there Excellent preparation by Koki Saito And Sparta is leading in Alkmaar Such a chance You can't just give that Norwegian striker such a good chance Abels Sambo A lot of space in the back of Michailovic Saito Verschuren Sparta plays more easily here Pinto met the cross There's the header from Lauritsen That's not dangerous Klazi is in trouble He reaches for his shoulder After the duel with Van Krooy Jordi Klazi is in a lot of pain That's something AZ can't afford Not even in the lead-up to that match on Thursday Are you okay Klaas Yes It seems to be going That's how he indicates to Pascal Jansen Meerdink is the first to leave AZ For him comes Pavlidis Michailovic is coming on However Namli is being substituted in here Good football by Sparta Younes Namli Turn to the right Why doesn't he hand him over to Verschuren Once again Namli Saito AZ is there And is looking at it The attempt by Lauritsen in the short corner Rijnders Otkaert Now the penalty for Pavlidis Strong intervention by Eerdhuizen Meinhans Nicolai has no difficult shot He is going to Saito here Control is also tight with the Japanese And then there is the connection with Van Krooy Verschuren Namli And Lauritsen Van Krooy Namli Lauritsen And the last one got There is a Sparta very close to 0-2 Events Always at the forefront of the fight Maybe he's just committing a violation there Pavlidis He is at least touching the ball And Rijnders gets the chance to strike The ball must at least hit the target Saito Sloppy weather Odgaard Saito Difficult angle And so Matthew Ryan has to go in Does AZ have anything left in the tank Does it look like a very costly defeat tonight in the battle for second place Rijnders Kerkes And there was the big chance for Odgaard Serious opportunity for Odgaard to equalize Lachdo Tackle the ball from Kerkes But that does result in an injury The war in Iraq is not the only thing that has affected Milos Kerkes Nyssen He goes to the side Awassar comes for him Rijnders Pavlidis En Odgaard Don't be sorry for him Klaasie Old Spartaat volume A beautiful through pass by Rijnders And the ball on the post via Subawara Where Pavlidis was completely free to score Even Matthew Ryan is now moving forward Can he handle it We won't get to see it The play is stopped The shot by Subawara on Awassar's body AZ wants a penalty Makkeli says to wait a moment Because the video referee will certainly look at it Here is the shot from Subawara He kept his arm neatly at his side with Adil Awassar Sparta will play their first Eredivisie match in Alkmaar since October 1996 And AZ has been leaving a lot of points on the table in recent weeks