Matteo Koning - A Dream.

Some good signings and a good result against a Heerenveen side that has the capability to cause upsets on their day

Good to see you have a winning start to your tenure there!

Great result against Heerenveen, they can be a very awkward club to face so I've heard. Nice way to kickoff Matteo's time at AZ.

Matteo Koning

With only two matches, we started off OK in Alkmaar. With a fantastic win against the second team on the table, SC Heerenveen. In Alkmaar, in the AFAS Stadion. After that we had a tough lose against the table leaders in Utrecht. Although we didn't start the way we wanted, we have allot of positives to build on the next month.

Results




Eredivisie

3-1 vs SC Heerenveen (H). 21/01/2018
AFAS Stadion, Attendance: 13,643 (Away: 579)

What a performance from the team. Even though we are not there yet, this is a super start in the Netherlands. Dos Santos started swinging like I want my outfield players to play. With freedom and bravoure. Perfect match for him.

Dabney dos Santos Souza, 9.0/10 - AZ Alkmaar


3-1 vs FC Utrecht (A). 10/04/2017
Galgenwaard, Attendance: 19,600 (Away: 408)

Against the number one, in a away game. It was never going to be easy. But to lose 3-1, it was hard. We matched them on every aspect but one, finishing. Flattered result, we can build on this.

Nacer Barazite, 7.6/10 - FC Utrecht



Transfers




Comments

mgriffin2012 - Great opener to start my career in Alkmaar!

Justice - 3 points is always a good start. I need to reach the play offs for Europe!

ScottT - Very tricky side with lots of good players and attacking football.



Previous Update: #22 AZ swings past SC Heerenveen
Next Update: #24 AZ steals point in De Kuip

Unfortunate to lose to Utrecht but they're a good side if they keep their best players! Loving the layout of this too man, good work, keep it up!

Well you've certainly been busy in the market! Ghezzal and Debuchy will prove to be very good signings!

18-02-2018

Against Feyenoord, in the feared Kuip AZ needed to extend there run. Winning against Roda JC and FC Twente, they washed out there bitter loss in Utrecht. Feyenoord on the other hand wanted to have revenge on there loss in the last home game against Willem II.

Kicking it off, the match was even. It was a high intensity game in the first half with both side's wanting possession and gave it all. It resulted in some chances, but the battle was more in the midfield. Feyenoord playing in there 4-2-3-1, where getting countered by the 4-1-2-3 from AZ. Giving the Alkmaar side more possession in the second half really payed of because Feyenoord where the far better side in the second half with razing sharp counters behind the Alkmaar duo St. Jago and Nuytinck.

Gifting them a goal when Rodney Kongolo made a mistake by fouling Toornstra after a corner. The penalty was a easy target for Movsisyan, who got in only 5 minutes before hand by replacing Jorgenson.

After that the Alkmaar side kept going for a equaliser despite the manager shouting to hold possession and have patience. Now, AZ gifted Feyenoord plenty of opportunity to counter and score there second goal. But they couldn't find the back of the net a second time.



Deep into the second half, in the '86 minute it was the €2,5 million signing Ghezzal who cut inside and dribble passed 3 Feyenoord players before curling it into the back of the net and saved a point for AZ with his first goal of the season. Having trouble with the counter, they found themselves leaving Rotterdam with a point due to one brilliant move.

Feyenoord adapted well in the second half and are on the right way. AZ on the other hand have more trouble, giving to much space away and Matteo has another challenge to fix against the top 3.

Despite the draw, Matteo is on the right track. Having won 3 and only lost 1 in his first 4 matches at the club. With this draw against Feyenoord that makes a decent record and with games against Helmond Sport, N.E.C and Willem II in the next 3 matches, Matteo seems to have his team on track right in time.


Comments

mgriffin2012 - There number one for a reason! Despite the loss, the only difference was there finishing, so not troubles yet with the way we play!

Justice - Yes! Hopefully they will come up strong for the team.



Previous Update: #23 January 2017/2018
Next Update: #25 February 2017/2018

Ghezzal has come up big with a priceless goal!

A very good point for you there! Ghezzal is a very capable player and stepped up when he was needed the most.

Matteo Koning

What a month! Undefeated and we are going strong. Feyenoord was still out of our league, but with a point we secured our undefeated status against the top 3 this season.

If we keep this form up, the fourth place is still in our own reach. We need a good spot in the play offs for Europe.

Results



Eredivisie

1-2 vs Roda JC (A). 03/02/2018
Parkstad Limburg Stadion, Attendance: 13,136 (Away: 208)

Very casual win over Roda JC. Nothing to fear against them, downside is that we conceded. Defence is still leaking goals left right and center, hopefully that will improve over the weeks.

Luckassen, 8.0/10 - AZ Alkmaar


1-0 vs FC Twente (H). 10/04/2018
AFAS Stadion, Attendance: 14,089 (Away: 520)

Very, very dominate performance. With Twente only getting one shot on goal in the entire match, we played some good football. The forwards didn't do there job in the scoring department so Luckassen got us a well deserved 3 points.

Luckassen, 8.0/10 - AZ Alkmaar


1-1 vs Feyenoord (A). 18/02/2018
De Kuip, Attendance: 48,054 (Away: 424)

With an even first half, we got counter in the second half. Luckily Ghezzal turned up and got us a point. Still undefeated in this month, only good thing about today with the goal.

St. Jago, 7.5/10 - AZ Alkmaar


2-0 vs Helmond Sport (H). 25/02/2018
AFAS Stadion, Attendance: 12,855 (Away: 123)

What. A. Player. Dos Santos really is my star of this side. He really turned up since my arrival to Alkmaar. By far my best player and still only 21 years of age he will have a bright future ahead. Hopefully he will stay here for a few more years.

Dos Santos, 9.1/10 - AZ Alkmaar



Comments

Justice - Hopefully he will starts to shine now.

ScottT - Hasn't show why he is worth the €2,5 million though! This is hopefully a good start.



Previous Update: #24 AZ steals point in De Kuip
Next Update: #26 Maher returns home

Things looking good, I think you might have found the place where you become a great

21-03-2018

Adam Maher will join AZ once again on the first of June 2018. The PSV midfielder moved to Eindhoven in the summer of 2013, after personally leading his side past PSV in the KNVB Beker Final. Scoring two goals, he was thé man in Alkmaar. Moving for €6,5 million the world was at his feet and PSV surely wasn't his end station.

Everybody remembers the game. The young boy was the main creator, with a Trequartista role he danced around the PSV players, scoring two goals that game and leading AZ past PSV to win 2-1 and lift the cup for the first time since 1982. Later that summer he moved to PSV. Everybody knew he was going to make it, but now fours years later he is back. Back for revenge and to show the Netherlands he can still become world class.



With Maher moving back to AZ on a free transfer, Matteo really showing his intention for next season. Despite being in the race for the 4th place and play off for Europe, he is already shifting his attention to next season. Where some people inside the club speak about him only wanting to challenge for the Dutch Double. Winning the League and the KNVB Beker.

His ambitions are high, but can he accomplish it? To achieve that, he needs to overhall the whole entire squad and selling players that where important the last two years. Of course when you want to accomplish something and you are doing it your way you will bump heads. But what if he fails, then the players will turn against him. Because as long as you keep winning, the players are happy with the way you handel things.

Scouts watching games from Unal, now on loan from Manchester City at PEC Zwolle. His third dutch side after loan spells at NAC and FC Twente. Scoring a total of 25 goals in 52 matches in the Netherlands. Also scouting at the likes of Chelsea, Arsenal, Manchester City and United and Real Madrid and FC Barcelona, it sure seems like he is going to mix loan players with more experienced players in his own side.

One things for sure, with Maher moving back to Alkmaar. Matteo seems ready for next season and challenging the current top 3 that SC Heerenveen and FC Utrecht are doing this year.




Comments

mgriffin2012 - Sure am, I'm only leaving with at least 1 League title!


Previous Update: #25 February 2017/2018
Next Update: #27 March 2017/2018

That's a terrific addition, will add plenty of creative prowess!

I remember Maher had a lot of potential when he was at AZ, shame to see it didn't really work out for him. Hopefully you can reignite the fire and help him find his form and potential again.

Matteo Koning

It started well with a 1-3 victory in Nijmegen, finally scoring some goals. But after that we weren't ourselves and lost against number 13 Willem II. After that we didn't lose against PSV, while we remain undefeated in head to head record against Ajax, Feyenoord and PSV. But we wanted more, we recovered the month against Excelsior with a casual 0-3 victory.

Overall allot of work needs to be done. For me, the staff and the players. We want to compete for the title next season, then we can't afford to lose matches against the number 13.

Results



Eredivisie

1-3 vs N.E.C. (A). 04/03/2018
Stadion de Goffert, Attendance: 14,646 (Away: 364)

Solid win, but we conceded once again. We really need to improve our defence next season, because this is ridiculous. Another goal from €2,5 million singing Ghezzal, hopefully he wil continue his run.

Ghezzal, 8.4/10 - AZ Alkmaar


1-2 vs Willem II (H). 11/03/2018
AFAS Stadion, Attendance: 13,635 (Away: 303)

Defender scoring (St. Jago), defender gets a red card (Ouwejan) and we did nothing well this match. Absolute rock bottom. Kali was fantastic for the with 2 assist, really good playmaker.

Kali, 8.5/10 - Willem II


1-1 vs PSV (A). 18/03/2018
Philips Stadion, Attendance: 33,579 (Away: 329)

Even matchup with PSV, both hitting the post once and creating enough chances. Unlucky to concede late in the game, but overall it was a fair result.

Guardado, 7.5/10 - PSV


0-3 vs Excelsior (A). 31/03/2018
Kyocera Stadion, Attendance: 2,677 (Away: 381)

Very casual win over Excelsior. Nothing really to say, only that Dos Santos is a god.

Dos Santos, 9.0/10 - AZ Alkmaar



League Table



Upcoming Fixtures



Comments

Justice - He sure is!

ScottT - Yes, but hopefully he will shine for me like he did 4 years ago!



Previous Update: #26 Maher returns home
Next Update: #28 April 2017/2018