An important match is scheduled for Feyenoord at 9 p.m. After last Wednesday’s defeat, AZ must win to keep second position in the Eredivisie within reach. Brian Priske has been forced to make changes to his team in certain positions. Justin Bijlow also starts under the bar again.
“It’s about the simple things,” Priske responds to the question of what he does with his team after a defeat with a short time leading up to the next game. “Firstly, the recovery and then we analyzed the match with the players. Both individually and at team level. It is another big challenge for us with the fifth match in fifteen days. After a defeat at home, it is also nice that after three days you have the opportunity to play a big match again.”
Trauner on the bench
As some people expected, Thomas Beelen starts in the center at the back and that has everything to do with resilience. “That’s the same story as often with Trauner. He is a great player, but sometimes has difficulty with his body. He had a tough match on Wednesday and then this came very soon after. It was a bit too fast for him, so we We have him on the bench to help us. In Beelen we have a full-fledged replacement.”
Osman not fit
Luka Ivanušec starts the kick-off and the trainer gives in the conversation ESPN explanation why he chooses the Croat. “Osman has had some problems in recent days. He has played a lot of minutes in recent weeks and delivered a lot of strength on Wednesday. He has had some problems with his muscles and did not train yesterday either. If we need him, he can start from bank raids.”
Antoni Milambo is also not fit, but is not even in the match selection. Priske may expect more clarity about the severity of his injury this weekend. His logical replacement for today is Ramiz Zerrouki. “We always discuss the possibilities, but with Zerrouki we have quality and an international from Algeria. Together with Quinten and Beom, I have no doubts about what they can do.”
Base location Bijlow
Changing a goalkeeper can sometimes have consequences for the dynamics in the group, but Priske expects this will not be the case. “I don’t sense any reactions. Justin is a top goalkeeper and he has been at the club all his life. He is a great goalkeeper and everyone knows his qualities. When we made the choice for Timon, I said that the difference was very little and that we had a good goalkeeper as a backup in Justin. Now is the time to give him the opportunity.”
