AZ Alkmaar took a commanding step towards the UEFA Europa League (UEL) Round of 16 with a dominant 4-1 victory over Galatasaray in the first leg of their knockout play-off tie. This impressive result marks Alkmaar’s fourth consecutive win in all competitions, putting them in a strong position ahead of the second leg in Istanbul next week.
Alkmaar’s Fast Start Sets the Tone
The last time these two sides met in the UEL league phase in November, AZ Alkmaar made a blistering start by scoring within the first two minutes. This time, the Dutch side once again came out firing, controlling possession early on and pressing Galatasaray deep into their half.
The breakthrough came in the 12th minute when Sven Mijnans produced a spectacular free-kick from distance, curling the ball perfectly past Galatasaray goalkeeper Fernando Muslera.
The hosts continued to pile on the pressure, and just minutes later, Ernest Poku was put through on goal. After rounding Muslera, it seemed certain he would double the lead, but his shot was brilliantly blocked at the last moment.
Galatasaray Hit Back with Stunning Equalizer
Despite Alkmaar’s dominance, Galatasaray found a way back into the game with a moment of brilliance.
Alvaro Morata collected a lofted pass beyond the Alkmaar defense and played a clever reverse pass, which was initially cleared but only as far as Roland Sallai. The Hungarian winger took one touch before unleashing a rocket into the top corner, giving the visitors a lifeline in the 28th minute.
Galatasaray, now brimming with confidence, came close to taking the lead when Abdulkerim Bardakci forced a save from a tight angle. However, their comeback was short-lived.
Troy Parrott Restores Alkmaar’s Lead from the Spot
As the first half neared its conclusion, Alkmaar were awarded a penalty after a careless challenge from Baris Alper Yilmaz, who brought down Seiya Maikuma inside the box while attempting to clear the ball.
Troy Parrott stepped up confidently, sending Muslera the wrong way to score his fourth UEL goal of the campaign and give the Dutch side a 2-1 lead heading into halftime.
Second-Half Collapse for 10-Man Galatasaray
Galatasaray manager Okan Buruk would have demanded an improved performance from his side after the break. However, within six minutes of the restart, disaster struck for the Turkish giants.
Defender Kaan Ayhan received a second yellow card, reducing Galatasaray to 10 men and completely shifting the momentum in Alkmaar’s favor.
AZ put on a show #UEL pic.twitter.com/X3t7Hmr4sk
— UEFA Europa League (@EuropaLeague) February 13, 2025
The Dutch outfit wasted no time in capitalizing on their numerical advantage. In the 52nd minute, after a sustained spell of possession, Jordy Clasie collected the ball inside the box and calmly slotted it past Muslera to double Alkmaar’s lead to 3-1.
Wolfe Seals the Victory as Alkmaar Run Riot
With a comfortable lead and an extra man on the pitch, AZ Alkmaar put the game beyond reach in the 66th minute.
A powerful shot from Sven Mijnans was saved by Muslera, but David Moller Wolfe reacted quickest, pouncing on the rebound and firing it into the net to make it 4-1.
Galatasaray, completely overwhelmed, had no response as Alkmaar controlled possession for the remainder of the match, securing a crucial three-goal advantage ahead of the second leg.
Match Statistics and Key Takeaways
| Statistic | AZ Alkmaar | Galatasaray |
|---|---|---|
| Possession | 58% | 42% |
| Shots on Target | 7 | 3 |
| Total Shots | 15 | 8 |
| Corners | 6 | 2 |
| Fouls Committed | 10 | 13 |
| Yellow Cards | 2 | 4 |
| Red Cards | 0 | 1 |
- AZ Alkmaar were clinical, taking advantage of their chances while limiting Galatasaray’s attacking threat.
- Galatasaray’s defense struggled, particularly after going down to 10 men, making it nearly impossible to mount a comeback.
- Troy Parrott continues his strong form, leading Alkmaar’s attack with his fourth Europa League goal of the season.
What’s Next? Second-Leg Preview
Despite the 4-1 loss, Galatasaray will take some confidence from their home record, where they remain unbeaten in 15 games across all competitions.
However, overturning a three-goal deficit will require a near-perfect performance at the RAMS Park in Istanbul. AZ Alkmaar, on the other hand, will look to control the tempo and avoid any major mistakes as they aim to book their place in the Round of 16.
This result leaves Galatasaray with a mountain to climb, while AZ Alkmaar are in pole position to advance in the Europa League.
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