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AZ Alkmaar vs Juventus – Match preview and team news
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- AZ Alkmaar vs Juventus – Match preview and team news
AZ Alkmaar vs Juventus – Match preview and team news
Juventus travels to the Netherlands as they face AZ Alkmaar in their next UEFA Europa League match on Thursday at the Afas Stadion in a bid to continue their unbeaten European campaign.
AZ Alkmaar vs Juventus – Match preview and team news
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Date: Thursday, 5th November.
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Kick-off: 8pm BST.
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Venue: Afas Stadion, Alkmaar.
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AZ Alkmaar team news
AZ Alkmaar manager Leeroy Echteld deals with notable structural absences across his squad, particularly navigating a selection issue in goal.
Experienced shot-stopper Jeroen Zoet is out due to suspension, and with backup Hobie Verhulst also sidelined, Jeroen De Busser is expected to start between the posts.
Beyond the goalkeeping vacancy, the Eredivisie side will be missing midfielder Kees Smit, who is recovering from a wound, as well as forward Jizz Hornkamp.
Defender Stije Resink is additionally ruled out as he continues to rehabilitate a jumper's knee injury. On the bright side, the squad receives a boost with the return of winger Ayoub Oufkir, who is available for selection after completing a domestic suspension.
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The hosts are otherwise poised to field a competitive lineup, highlighted by an emotional midfield battle as Peer Koopmeiners prepares to go head-to-head on the pitch against his brother, Juventus star Teun Koopmeiners.
Juventus team news
Juventus manager Luciano Spalletti faces a severe squad crisis ahead of the clash in the Netherlands, travelling with at least 11 first-team players unavailable due to injuries and registration constraints.
The Bianconeri are depleted across all areas, missing prominent attacking and midfield options like Kenan Yildiz, Khephren Thuram, Manuel Locatelli, Francisco Conceicao, and Nico Gonzalez.
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Defensively, Zeki Celik and goalkeeper Kamil Grabara are sidelined, while Arkadiusz Milik, Daniele Rugani, and Edon Zhegrova remain omitted from the European roster.
Furthermore, Weston McKennie stayed in Turin as a precaution to nurse an adductor strain. In a positive turn, defender Juan Cabal and teenage winger Kerim Alajbegovic travelled after overcoming recent knocks, while Jeff Ekhator returns to fitness.
Spalletti has also promoted four NextGen academy graduates to fill the heavily depleted bench, leaving the Italians highly reliant on the remaining core of Teun Koopmeiners, Pierre Kalulu, and Randal Kolo Muani.
Form
AZ Alkmaar
AZ Alkmaar enters this fixture enduring a stark domestic slump. Leeroy Echteld's side has taken just one point from their last four Eredivisie outings, dropping to fifth following back-to-back 2-0 and 1-0 scoreless league defeats against Twente and Ajax. However, their continental form remains formidable. They sit tenth in the Europa League standings with six points, recently thrashing Ararat-Armenia 4-0, while defending an active, incredible 17-match unbeaten European home run at the AFAS Stadion.
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Juventus
Juventus enters the contest displaying highly erratic recent form. While managing a strong 2-0 Serie A bounce-back victory over Napoli last weekend, the Bianconeri recently suffered a disappointing 2-0 defeat to Genoa and a heavy 3-0 home loss against Lazio. Fortunately, their European campaign under Luciano Spalletti is much more stable. Unbeaten in seventh place with seven points, they previously secured wins over Celta Vigo and NEC before a high-scoring 2-2 draw with Rennes.
Predicted lineups
AZ Alkmaar:De Busser; Dijkstra, Goes, Hoedt, De Wit; Kwakman, P. Koopmeiners; Patati, Stengs, Daal; Meerdink
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Juventus:Vicario; Kalulu, Gatti, Bremer, Cambiaso; Luiz, Sarr; Kolo Muani, T. Koopmeiners, Alajbegovic; Woltemade
How to watch AZ Alkmaar vs Juventus?
You can watch the AZ Alkmaar vs Juventus match live in the UK on TNT Sports 4.
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