AZ Alkmaar has placed one foot firmly in the next round of the UEFA Europa League after delivering a resounding 4-1 victory over Galatasaray at the AFAS Stadion on February 13, 2025. With this win, the Dutch side significantly boosted their chances of advancing, showing great skill and control throughout the match.
The game got off to a stunning start for AZ Alkmaar when Sven Mijnans netted an incredible free-kick just 12 minutes in, sending the ball soaring past the Galatasaray goalkeeper. The home side maintained the pressure, dominating early play and forcing their opponents onto the back foot. Despite the eagerness of AZ's attack, Galatasaray found their footing briefly and executed a well-crafted equalizer through Roland Sallai at the 20-minute mark, leveling the score with a fierce shot following some effective build-up play.
Things took another turn when Troy Parrott converted a penalty for AZ just before halftime, regaining the lead after Baris Alper Yilmaz fouled Seiya Maikuma. Parrott's successful penalty kicked off his European goal tally, marking his fourth strike of the campaign. The teams went to the break with AZ leading 2-1, fueling the home crowd's hopes of securing the next round.
After halftime, Galatasaray faced a massive setback when Kaan Ayhan received his second yellow card within six minutes of the restart, leaving his team with only ten men. This proved detrimental as the balance shifted decidedly in AZ’s favor, enabling them to capitalize on their numerical advantage effectively.
Shortly after Ayhan's dismissal, Jordy Clasie extended the hosts' lead to 3-1, scoring with composure from a perfectly timed cross by Ernest Poku. Adding insult to injury, David Møller Wolfe scored the final goal of the night, tapping it home from close range after Mijnans' shot was parried, solidifying AZ's 4-1 lead.
The scoring frenzy highlighted AZ Alkmaar's attacking prowess and their ability to control the game, particularly after Galatasaray was reduced to ten men. Galatasaray's manager Okan Buruk was understandably disappointed, as the early promise shown by Sallai's equalizer quickly evaporated under the weight of AZ's relentless offensive push.
Overall, AZ Alkmaar's performance was characterized by high intensity and fluid attacking play. Key players like Mijnans and Clasie were instrumental, with Mijnans also being named Man of the Match for his brilliant contributions. With this win, AZ holds firm leverage for the return leg scheduled next week at Galatasaray's home ground, where they will look to cement their place in the next stage of the competition.
Meanwhile, Galatasaray needs to regroup and recalibrate their strategy, particularly considering they were unable to capitalize on their visiting form, which includes being unbeaten at home for the past 15 games across all competitions. They will surely aim to rectify their mistakes and muster a performance worthy of challenging AZ Alkmaar’s dominance.
The upcoming clash promises to be intense, and both teams know the importance of this match. For AZ, it’s about confirming their status as the strong favorites to move forward, and for Galatasaray, it’s about restoring pride and ensuring their European campaign continues.