PSV will open the second half of the season next Saturday with a home game against AZ. In the Philips Stadium, PSV has been unbeaten in all competitions for fifty games in a row. Yet it was precisely AZ that last handed us a home defeat.
That happened on Nov. 12, 2022, when it became 1-0 for the away team through a goal by Vangelis Pavlidis. Over the years, the teams have regularly played exciting duels against each other, although the balance between them clearly speaks in favor of PSV. Of the 92 previous encounters, PSV won 55, compared to 23 victories for AZ. In addition, 14 matches ended undecided. PSV thus historically has a substantial lead over their rivals from Alkmaar. In the current Eredivisie season, AZ occupies fifth place, trailing the leaders by 13 points.
Last results
The last time PSV hosted AZ at home, the home supporters were treated to a convincing 5-1 victory. Johan Bakayoko, Luuk de Jong (2), Joey Veerman and debutant Jesper Uneken provided the goals then. The outward match earlier this season also went to PSV. They won 1-2 in Alkmaar, partly due to an early red card for AZ defender David Møller Wolfe. Luuk de Jong and Noa Lang found the net, while Denso Kasius pulled one back on behalf of AZ.
Old acquaintances
At AZ an old acquaintance of PSV is under the crossbar: Jeroen Zoet. The goalkeeper, educated in Eindhoven, made no less than 260 appearances for PSV before embarking on an adventure in Italy in 2020. This summer, he returned to the Netherlands and signed with AZ. Ruben van Bommel spent some time in PSV's youth academy. Guus Til, on the other hand, enjoyed his youth training at AZ. The midfielder came to 96 games for the Alkmaarders before leaving for abroad.
