2014–15 AZ Alkmaar season

AZ
Full name Alkmaar Zaanstreek
Nickname(s) The Cheese Farmers
2014–15 AZ Alkmaar season
2014/15 season
Manager Marco van Basten
Ground AFAS Stadion
Alkmaar, Netherlands
(Capacity: 17,023)
Eredivisie -
KNVB Beker -
Home colours
← 2013–14
2015–16 →

During the 2014–15 season AZ will compete in the Eredivisie for the 17th consecutive season and the KNVB Beker under new manager Marco van Basten, who previously managed Heerenveen.[1] Under Gertjan Verbeek and Dick Advocaat the previous season AZ lost their title of the Dutch cup to PEC Zwolle by getting knocked out in the semi-finals by eventual league winners Ajax and finished a disappointing 8th in the league.

Background

Following the 2013/14 season in which AZ broke their record for most competitive games in a season (58)[2] starting in the KNVB Beker in 27 July 2013 (which was lost in extra-time to champions Ajax and ended in a three-nil defeat to FC Groningen in the Eredivisie Europa League play-offs. During this run of 58 games Gertjan Verbeek was sacked due to the squad losing the confidence in his communicative abilities and 'lack of chemistry.[3] Dick Advocaat was brought out of retirement and replaced Verbeek until the end of the season[4] where the club finished in 8th position and lost at the final stages of the play-offs for European football. League results were disappointing and somewhat inconsistent however the club managed to make the last 8 of the 2013–14 UEFA Europa League playing Atromitos F.C.,[5] PAOK FC, Maccabi Haifa F.C., FC Shakhter Karagandy,[6] FC Slovan Liberec, FC Anzhi Makhachkala and finally succumbing to S.L. Benfica.[7]

For the new season Marco van Basten left SC Heerenveen signing a two year contract at AZ expressing his desire for a new challenge.[8] With no European football this season and a fairy settled squad a higher league finishing should be possible.

Technical/Board Staff

Occupation[9][10]
Marco van Basten First team manager
Alex Pastoor
Dennis Haar		 Assistant manager
Denny Landzaat
Martin Haar		 Coach
Nick van Aart Goalkeeping coach
Earnest Stewart Director of football affairs
Robert Eenhoorn Director of general affairs
René Neelissen Supervisory board chairman
Bert Molenaar
Joop Alberda		 Supervisory board members
Ronald Bandell Foundation board chairman
Ton van der Veldt
Peter van den Kommer
Dick Ranzijn		 Foundation board members

Summer Transfers

Arrivals

Name Position Previous club Fee
Netherlands Guus Hupperts[11][12]RWNetherlands Roda JC€1,000,000
Netherlands Robert Mühren[13][14]CAM/CFNetherlands FC Volendam€300,000
Netherlands Djavan Anderson[15][16]RBNetherlands Ajax U19€200,000
Sweden Muamer Tankovic[17][18][19]LW/CF/CAMEngland Fulham U21Free (end of contract)
Uruguay Sergio Rochet[20][21]GKUruguay Danubio F.C.Undiscolsed

Departures

Name Position New club Fee
Netherlands Nick ViergeverCB/LB/CDMNetherlands AFC Ajax[22]€2,000,000
Netherlands Roy BeerensRWGermany Hertha BSC[23]€1,500,000
Netherlands Ruud BoymansCFNetherlands FC Utrecht[24]Undisclosed
Finland Thomas LamCBNetherlands PEC Zwolle[25]Free (percentage of next sale)
Iceland Johann Berg GudmundssonLW EnglandCharlton Athletic[26]Free (end of contract)
Netherlands Etiënne ReijnenCBNetherlands SC Cambuur Leeuwarden[27]Free (end of contract)
Netherlands Erik FalkenburgCMNetherlands NAC Breda[28]Free (end of contract)
Netherlands Hobie VelhurstGKNetherlands MVV Maastricht[29]Free (end of contract)
Netherlands Erik HeijblokGKNetherlands FC Volendam[30]Free (end of contract)
Netherlands Paul KokLB NetherlandsFC Oss[31]Free (end of contract)
Cameroon Willie OvertoomCAM-NA- [32]Contract terminated - mutual consent
Netherlands Dirk MarcellisRB-NA- [33]Contract expired

Loans

Name Position New club Loan period
BelgiumJonas Heymans LBNetherlandsWillem II[34]Full season
Netherlands Joris van OvereemCMNetherlands FC Dordrecht[35]Full season
Sweden Denni AvdicSTNetherlands Heracles Almelo[36]Full season
Netherlands Donny GorterLB/CMDenmark Aalborg/AaB[37]Full season
NetherlandsFernando Lewis FWNetherlandsGo Ahead Eagles[38]Full season

Pre-season friendlies

AZ pre-season began on 30 June with their first training session[39] and consisted of 7 official matches which started with an away friendly match on 5 July 2014 against Dutch amateurs SVW '27 from Heerhugowaard, just outside of Alkmaar and amateur club AFC'34 from Alkmaar.

Following the games against amateur opposition the club played a friendly with the full AZ squad, with two teams (blue and red) where both teams were mixed with regular first team players.

Then followed a weeks training camp in Epe, the Netherlands where AZ played their first games against professional teams in the pre-season; they played reserves against NEC, newly relegated from the Eredivisie on the Saturday and then on Sunday fielded a full strength team against Qabala FC of Azerbijan on the final day of the training camp.

After the training camp in Epe, AZ had a specially arranged friendly against Eerste Divisie side VVV Venlo to celebrate exactly 60th year anniversary since the two teams first met in a competitive game.[40] This special fixture had silverware to be won in the form of the Herman Teeuwen Bokkal, a pre-season competition organised by VVV to play larger teams for the trophy named after the legendary VVV player and scout Herman Teeuwen. After VVV winning against OFI Crete last year on this occasion AZ were victorious and awarded the cup;here is the AZ captain, Nemanja Gudelj, with the trophy.[41]

After winning silverware, AZ agreed to play a friendly against German Bundesliga side Hoffenheim as part of their training camp in Switzerland. The final match of pre-season has been arranged for 1 August on the training field outside the Stadium[42] and will once again feature players from just the AZ squad, this game featured the squad wearing their brand new kits for the forthcoming season.[43] The white (away) kit was worn by fringe members of the squad and black (away) kits were worn by the reserve and u19 AZ players. This concluded the pre-season with only 8 days remaining until the season opener against Heracles away.

Accurate as of 1 August

Statistics

Top goalscorers

Rank Player (pen.)
1. Sweden Muamer Tankovic 7(1)
2. Netherlands Thom Haye 2
Sweden Denni Avdic 2
Norway Markus Henriksen 2
Netherlands Donny Gorter 2 (2)
6. Netherlands Steven Berghuis 1
Belgium Jan Wuytens 1
Sweden Mattias Johansson 1
Sweden Viktor Elm 1
Netherlands Mikhail Rosheuvel 1
Netherlands Ridgeciano Haps 1
Netherlands Djavan Anderson 1
Netherlands Joris van Overeem 1
Netherlands Jeffrey Gouweleeuw 1
Paraguay Celso Ortiz 1
Total 25(3)

Goals conceded

Against (pen.) Scorers
GermanyHoffenheim 3 GermanyRudy
FranceModeste
Bosnia and HerzegovinaSalihović
NetherlandsAZ Rood 2(1) SwedenTankovic
NetherlandsGorter (pen.)
NetherlandsSVW’27 1 NetherlandsBakker
Netherlands AFC'34 1 NetherlandsBen Hamed
NetherlandsAZ Blauw 1 Netherlandsvan Overeem
Netherlands NEC 0 -
Azerbaijan Qabala 0 -
Netherlands VVV 0 -
NetherlandsAZ Wit 0 -
NetherlandsAZ Zwart 0 -
Total 8(1)

Accurate as of 1 August

Eredivisie

The regular domestic league season began with an away fixture in the start of August 2015 to Heracles Almelo and finished away to SBV Excelsior in mid-late May 2015.[44]

Statistics

Top goalscorers

Rank Player (pen.)
1. NetherlandsSteven Berghuis 3
2= NetherlandsGuus Hupperts 2
SwedenMuamer Tankovic 2
Total 7

Goals conceded

Against Scorers
Netherlands Ajax 3 NetherlandsDavy Klaassen
DenmarkLasse Schöne
NetherlandsAnwar El Ghazi
Netherlands Willem II 3 BrazilBruno Andrade
NetherlandsAli Messaoud
NetherlandsCharlton Vicento
Netherlands Dordrecht 1 NetherlandsMart Lieder
Netherlands Heracles 0 -
Netherlands Heerenveen - -
Netherlands PEC - -
Netherlands ADO - -
Netherlands Twente - -
Netherlands PSV - -
Netherlands Groningen - -
Netherlands Excelsior - -
Netherlands NAC - -
Netherlands Vitesse - -
Netherlands Cambuur - -
Netherlands Go Ahead Eagles - -
Netherlands Feyenoord - -
Netherlands Utrecht - -
Total 7

League table

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification or relegation
2 Ajax (Q) 32 20 8 4 65 27 +38 68 Qualification to Champions League third qualifying round
3 Feyenoord (X) 32 17 8 7 55 32 +23 59 Qualification to Europa League third qualifying round
4 AZ (X) 32 17 5 10 56 53 +3 56 Qualification to European competition play-offs[lower-alpha 1]
5 Vitesse (X) 32 15 9 8 59 39 +20 54
6 Heerenveen (Q) 32 13 10 9 51 42 +9 49
Updated to match(es) played on 26 April 2015. Source: NUsport
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored
(Q) Qualified to the phase indicated; (X) Team will at least qualify for play-offs.
Notes:
  1. ↑ Four teams play for a spot in the 2015–16 UEFA Europa League third qualifying round.

KNVB Beker

AZ were drawn against the winners of the first round match on 27 August 2014 between Limburg amateurs EVV Echt and Spirit'30, amateurs from Hoogkarspel for the second round of the KNVB Beker.[45][46] EVV Echt were victorious in the match winning 4-0 and AZ will visit the 2,000 capacity Sportpark "In de Bandert" on 24 September 2014.[47]

Statistics

Top goalscorers

Rank Player (pen.)
1. Isle of Man -(-)
Total -(-)

Goals conceded

Against (pen.) Scorers
NetherlandsEVV - Isle of Man-
Total -(-)

Squad Performance

Player League starts (pen.) Unused sub. Cup starts (pen.) Unused sub.
01.Costa RicaEsteban Alvarado 3 -6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
02.SwedenMattias Johansson 3 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0
03.NetherlandsJeffrey Gouweleeuw 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
04.BelgiumJan Wuytens 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
06.ParaguayCelso Ortiz 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
07.NetherlandsGuus Hupperts 4 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
08.SerbiaNemanja Gudelj (c) 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
09.United StatesAron Jóhannsson 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
10.NorwayMarkus Henriksen 3 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
11.SwedenMuamer Tankovic 4 2 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
12.SwedenViktor Elm 0 0 0 3 1 0 0 0 0 0
14.NetherlandsWesley Hoedt 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 0 0
15.DenmarkSimon Poulsen 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
17.NetherlandsDjavan Anderson 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
18.NetherlandsMikhail Rosheuvel 1 0 1 2 1 0 0 0 0 0
19.AustraliaEli Babalj 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
20.NetherlandsThom Haye 1 0 0 1 2 0 0 0 0 0
21.NetherlandsRobert Mühren 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0
22.NetherlandsSteven Berghuis 3 3 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
23.NetherlandsDerrick Luckassen 1 0 1 0 3 0 0 0 0 0
24.NetherlandsRidgeciano Haps 0 0 0 2 2 0 0 0 0 0
25.UruguaySergio Rochet 1 -1 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 0
16.BelgiumYves De Winter 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0

Squad Numbers

Loanees

Domestic

Player Team League starts (pen.) Unused sub. Cup starts (pen.) Unused sub.
NetherlandsJoris van Overeem Dordrecht 4 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
BelgiumJonas Heymans Willem II 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
SwedenDenni Avdic Heracles Almelo 3 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
NetherlandsFernando Lewis Go Ahead Eagles 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 0

Foreign

Player Team League XI (pen.) Unused sub. League Cup XI (pen.) Unused sub. European Competition XI (pen.)
NetherlandsDonny Gorter DenmarkAaB 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Accurate as of matchday four.

International Appearances

The following first team players played for their respective nations during the 2014-15 season:

Player National Team Position Time Played Goals
- - - - -

UEFA Current ranking

As of 04/07/2014[48]
Rank Country Team Points
34TurkeyGalatasaray S.K.47.980
35UkraineFC Dynamo Kyiv47.166
36NetherlandsAZ45.612
37ItalyS.S. Lazio45.568
38SpainAthletic Bilbao43.299

Recent Eredivisie Results

7
13
10
10
5
3
2
3
11
1
5
4
10
8
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Eredivisie

References

  1. ↑ Soccer-Van Basten to be unveiled as new AZ Alkmaar coach-reports | Reuters
  2. ↑ Special: Het langste AZ-seizoen - AZ
  3. ↑ AZ Alkmaar sack Gertjan Verbeek | Football Video and Audio | ESPN.co.uk
  4. ↑ Eredivisie: AZ appoint Dick Advocaat as their new coach | Football News | Sky Sports
  5. ↑ 2013-14 UEFA Europa League#Play-off round
  6. ↑ 2013-14 UEFA Europa League#Group L
  7. ↑ 2013-14 UEFA Europa League#Knockout phase
  8. ↑ Dutch Legend Marco Van Basten to Become AZ Manager | Bleacher Report
  9. ↑ Organogram - AZ
  10. ↑ AZ werkt met kleinere A-selectie - AZ
  11. ↑ AZ trekt Hupperts aan - AZ
  12. ↑ Hupperts van Roda naar AZ - NOS Sport
  13. ↑ Robert Mühren tekent bij AZ - NOS
  14. ↑ AZ haalt Mühren naar Alkmaar - AZ
  15. ↑ AZ contracteert Anderson - AZ
  16. ↑ Djavan Anderson goes from Ajax to AZ - english.ajax.nl
  17. ↑ AZ versterkt zich met Tankovic - AZ
  18. ↑ Fulham FC : Muamer Tankovic signs for AZ - Fulham FC Latest News
  19. ↑ Transfer news: AZ sign Muamer Tankovic on free transfer | Football News | Sky Sports
  20. ↑ AZ haalt doelman Rochet naar Alkmaar - AZ
  21. ↑ Uruguayaanse doelman op proef bij AZ - Nieuws.nl
  22. ↑ Ajax signs Nick Viergever - english.ajax.nl
  23. ↑ Beerens naar Hertha BSC - AZ
  24. ↑ http://www.ad.nl/ad/nl/5617/FC-Utrecht/article/detail/3662729/2014/05/27/F
  25. ↑ Zwolle neemt Lam transfervrij over van AZ - AD.nl
  26. ↑ Gudmundsson naar Charlton Athletic - AZ
  27. ↑ http://www.cambuur.nl/nieuws/sc-cambuur-versterkt-zich-met-eti%C3%ABnne-reijnen
  28. ↑ NAC strikt Erik Falkenburg - NAC Breda
  29. ↑ Veel nieuwe gezichten op eerste training MVV
  30. ↑ Goalie Erik Heijblok tekent contract bij FC Volendam
  31. ↑ RTV NH - Sport - Paul Kok aan de slag bij FC Oss
  32. ↑ AZ ontbindt contract Overtoom - NOS.nl
  33. ↑ 'Vergeten voetballer' AZ is bijna fit: "Ik hoop op een club uit de Eredivisie" - SoccerNews.nl
  34. ↑ Willem II huurt Jonas Heymans van AZ
  35. ↑ FC Dordrecht huurt jeugdinternational Van Overeem | RTV Rijnmond
  36. ↑ Heracles huurt Avdic van AZ - NOS Sport
  37. ↑ Gaarde: Donny Gorter løfter os - tipsbladet
  38. ↑ AZ verhuurt Lewis aan Go Ahead Eagles - AZ
  39. ↑ Maandag 30 juni: eerste training - AZ
  40. ↑ AZ oefent tegen VVV-Venlo - AZ
  41. ↑ AZ on Twitter: Onze aanvoerder @nemanjagudelj pakt zijn eerste prijs van dit seizoen: de Herman Teeuwen Bokaal. #talisman http://t.co/ECougOVpGP
  42. ↑ AZ oefent donderdag tegen Hoffenheim - AZ
  43. ↑ Nieuwe uitshirts nu verkrijgbaar - AZ
  44. ↑ Wedstrijden 1e elftal - AZ
  45. ↑ Draw for the second round of KNVB cup made - Football Oranje
  46. ↑ AZ bekert tegen EVV of Spirit ‘30 - AZ
  47. ↑ http://www.az.nl/nieuws/az-bekert-tegen-evv-echt/1?catid=
  48. ↑ "Club coefficients 2013/14". uefa.com. 4 July 2014. Retrieved 4 July 2014.