PSV will play the away match against AZ in Alkmaar on Friday night at 8 p.m. ET. In this article an overview of the statistics, facts and trivia of this game.
Tricky away game
AZ has proven to be a formidable opponent for PSV in Alkmaar. In total, this match was played 36 times. PSV won fourteen, AZ thirteen and nine times the game ended undecided. Last season, AZ took the three points. PSV's 2-1 defeat came through goals by Nick Viergever and Aron Jóhannsson. Memphis had made it 1-1 before halftime. PSV last won in the Cheese City on April 20, 2013. Mark van Bommel, Dries Mertens and Jeremain Lens put PSV up 0-3. Just before the end, Jóhannsson scored the 1-3.
Andrés Guardado here in the home game against AZ earlier this season | © Pics United
PSV without strongmen
Earlier this season, PSV recorded a big win over AZ. At the Philips Stadium, it became 3-0 on Oct. 18. Before halftime the match was already decided by goals from Luciano Narsingh and Adam Maher (2). PSV was missing a number of star players in that match. Memphis and Georginio Wijnaldum were injured and Jeffrey Bruma suspended. Moreover, head coach Phillip Cocu had to watch from the stands. He was sent to the stands in the game with Excelsior. Nicolas Isimat-Mirin made his debut for PSV in the home game against AZ.
Quiet transfer period
AZ did not add any new players to the selection this winter. Head coach John van den Brom's team saw only players leave. Former PSV player Dirk Marcellis left for NAC Breda and Rosheuvel for SC Cambuur. Lewis, Babalj and Gyasi were rented out to FC Dordrecht, PEC Zwolle and Roda JC respectively.
Adam Maher is one of two PSV players in the squad with a past at AZ | © Pics United
AZ past
PSV currently has two players in the selection with an AZ past. Adam Maher played at AZ from 2010 to 2013 and before that went through the entire youth academy. The currently injured Stijn Schaars played much longer with the Alkmaar side. In 2005 he was acquired from Vitesse and played six seasons for AZ. There he won the national championship in 2009 under then head coach Louis van Gaal.