Galatasaray set to face AZ Alkmaar in UEFA Europa League clash

Galatasaray will meet Dutch side AZ Alkmaar in the 5th week of the UEFA Europa League at the AFAS Stadium. The match will be officiated by Romanian referee Horatiu Fesnic.

Galatasaray’s Europa League campaign

Undefeated in the competition so far, Galatasaray has recorded three wins and one draw in their four matches, entering the 5th week with 10 points.

They currently sit in 3rd place on goal difference. AZ Alkmaar, with six points, is positioned 17th. Earlier in the tournament, AZ Alkmaar made headlines by defeating Fenerbahce 3-1.

Probable lineups

AZ Alkmaar:
Zoet, Maikuma, Goes, Penetra, Wolfe, Koopmeiners, Kwakman, Mijnans, Meerdink, Smit, Parrot.

Galatasaray:
Muslera, Davinson, Nelsson, Abdulkerim, Baris Alper, Torreira, Sara, Yunus, Mertens, Batshuayi, Osimhen.

Galatasaray’s unbeaten streak

Galatasaray is currently on a 14-match unbeaten run across all competitions. Since their last defeat against Young Boys in the UEFA Champions League play-off round, the team has recorded 12 wins and two draws in a mix of four Europa League and 10 Super Lig matches.

Okan Buruk’s quest for more records

Okan Buruk, who holds the record for the most UEFA Europa League victories by a Turkish coach, is looking to extend his achievement. After securing his 9th win with a recent victory over Tottenham, Buruk aims to make it 10 with a triumph against AZ Alkmaar.

AZ Alkmaar’s form and squad profile

AZ Alkmaar currently sits 6th in the Dutch Eredivisie after 13 matches, with six wins, two draws, and five losses, accumulating 20 points. They have scored 25 goals and conceded 15 this season. Last year, the club finished 4th in the league.

AZ Alkmaar also boasts the youngest squad in this season’s Europa League, with an average age of 23.7 years. The club has given significant playing time to academy products such as Jayden Addai, Wouter Goes, and Peer Koopmeiners. Following AZ Alkmaar in terms of young squads are Eintracht Frankfurt (24.7 years) and Midtjylland.