AZ seemed to grab the full booty for the first time in its fourth Eredivisie game of the season, after three draws in a row. However, things turned out differently: a comfortable lead was again given away against VVV-Venlo, Jonas Svensson also received AZ’s third red card of the season.
AZ had to miss four positively tested players, but started strong and was leading 1-0 in no time. Jesper Karlsson broke the spell almost immediately after the kick-off: the Swede laid on the sideline from the left and the ball sailed over Delano van Crooij into the far corner. The 2-0 was only a matter of time and it came within half an hour. Svensson delivered the ball from the right into the penalty area, Calvin Stengs, who had returned from suspension, hit it.
???? @AZAlkmaar again does not finish the match with a team. Jonas Svensson has to leave the field with red before half time. #azvvv pic.twitter.com/QbXKViWioU
– FOX Sports (@FOXSportsnl) October 17, 2020
Van Crooij had to keep Karlsson from the 3-0 and Myron Boadu hit the bar, then the AZ storm died down. Just before half-time, the dominant AZ had an unexpected setback: Svensson slipped a little too enthusiastically on Joshua John and was allowed to push in immediately. VVV had nothing to say, but suddenly smelled blood: attacker Torino Hunte came halfway into the team for the defensive-minded Roy Gelmi.
Hobie Verhulst – replacement for the suspended Marco Bizot – initially did not generate much extra work. AZ even smelled 3-0 via Fredrik Midtsjö and Teun Koopmeiners, but VVV hit back hard in the last minutes. Evert Linthorst ran in the tying goal and Giorgios Giakoumakis even signed for the 2-2: the Greek was allowed to dock from the penalty spot after a foul by Bruno Martins Indi and completed the no longer expected comeback. The Alkmaar ten went headlong in search of the 3-2, but could not prevent the fourth point loss in a row.
???? It happens @AZAlkmaar again … Home against @VVV Venlo a 2-0 lead is relinquished … #azvvv pic.twitter.com/g8nIFEvKkk
– FOX Sports (@FOXSportsnl) October 17, 2020
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