Against All Odds: Legacy Of A Football King
Chapter 47: Anzhi Makhachkala VS AZ Alkmaar

Chapter 47: Anzhi Makhachkala VS AZ Alkmaar

[And we’re underway here in Makhachkala!] Paul’s voice rose above the clamor of the spectators as the opening whistle signaled the start of what promised to be a captivating clash.

The game kicked off with Anzhi Makhachkala asserting early dominance over AZ Alkmaar. They executed a lot of sharp passes and their fluid movements pinned AZ Alkmaar back into their own half.

[Anzhi Makhachkala starting strong here," Willem observed. [As expected from the favourites of tonight’s game. They’re pressing high and keeping high defensive lines to draw offside moves from AZ Alkmaar. This tactical approach has forced AZ Alkmaar into some uncomfortable positions]

It didn’t take long for the first moment of danger to arrive in the game.

Eto’o and Shatov played a quick one-two between themselves and left the AZ Alkmaar defense scrambling to defend the threat.

Shatov broke past Martens and sent a long ball to Willian who was free down the left wing.

The 23 year old Brazilian winger controlled the ball and pushed forward down the flank. Seeing as Marcellis was closing in on him quickly, Willian hurriedly played a low cross into the 18-yard box.

The ball deflected off Marcellis’ raised studs and changed trajectory towards the 22 year old Ivorian, Lacina Traoré, who struck it first time.

[Traore shoots!... What a save by Alvarado!] Paul exclaimed as the AZ Alkmaar goalkeeper dived low to his right, his fingertips doing just enough to push the ball around the post.

[That was headed straight for the bottom corner, but unfortunately for the home fans, Alvarado made a fine save to prevent the obvious]

[Top-class save from the Costa Rican international] Willem added. [Alvarado read that perfectly. AZ Alkmaar needs to tighten up at the back—they can’t keep allowing that much space]

The resulting corner kick was cleared by Viergever, and AZ Alkmaar managed to relieve the early pressure and settle into the game while stringing a few passes together in midfield.

The midfield trio—Henriksen, Martens and Adam soon began to assert themselves in the game, linking up with Beerens on the right wing.

In the 10th minute, AZ Alkmaar had their first real chance.

Henrikson released a clever through ball to Gudmundsson on the left wing.

Gudmudsson didn’t wait for the ball to settle, he pushed it with his first touch to cut inside and break past his marker.

After succeeding in getting past his marker, Gudmudsson unleashed a powerful curling effort from the edge of the 18-yard box.

[That’s ambitious from Gudmundsson!... but it goes just wide off the goal!] Paul’s voice carried the frustration of the AZ Alkmaar fans. [That was only inches away from the far post. Gabulov was beaten there, but fortunately his luck wasn’t]

[Good work from Europa League debutant, Henrikson, to create the chance,] Willem chimed in. [Gudmundsson just needed to get that on target. It’s these moments that can make the difference in a game like this. Hopefully, this miss won’t come back to haunt him]

The game ebbed and flowed with both teams exchanging chances.

Anzhi Makhachkala nearly took the lead in the 20th minute when Zhirkov overlapped to the left wing to assist Willian, he whipped in a dangerous cross to the box.

Despite his height being lower than the AZ Alkmaar central defenders, Samuel Eto’o rose above them after a little push and shove to power a header toward the top corner.

[Samuel Eto’o with the powerful header... Oohhh! Its come off the bar!] Paul shouted, his voice filled with mirrored relief from the AZ Alkmaar fans. [The woodwork denies Anzhi Makhachkala!]

[AZ Alkmaar are living dangerously," Willem commented. [That was vintage Eto’o—his positioning in the 18-yard box, his strength and leap to outclass AZ Alkmaar’s central defenders. AZ Alkmaar are lucky to still be level]

The match continued at a frantic pace with both teams creating half-chances but struggling to find the finishing touch.

Alvarado was called into action again just before the 25th minute mark, diving to his left to deny a low shot from Lassana Diarra.

[Alvarado keeping AZ Alkmaar in this,] Paul remarked. [That’s his third crucial save of the night. He’s been outstanding so far]

[He’s going to need some help from his defense,] Willem countered. [They’re giving Anzhi Makhachkala far too much space around the box and they’re gonna get stung if they don’t find a solution soon enough]

As the first half wore on, AZ Alkmaar began to grow into the game.

A quick transition from defense to attack saw Beerens break free in a counter-attack down the right wing

He sent a cross into the 18-yard box which was met by Jozy Altidore, but the striker’s header lacked power and was comfortably saved by Gabulov.

[Altidore needs to do better there,] Willem said. [That was a great delivery from Beerens, but Altidore just didn’t get enough behind it]

Gertjan Verbeek stood on the edge of the technical area with his coat flapping slightly in the evening breeze.

His arms were crossed tightly to his chest, and his jaw clenched as he watched Altidore’s tame header roll into Gabulov’s gloves.

"Sigh!"

He exhaled sharply, the breath escaping through his nose. His frustration was evident—not in loud words, but in the way his fingers tapped impatiently against his arm.

"That was too casual," he muttered under his breath, but it was loud enough for the assistant, Martin Haar, who stood beside him to hear.

Back on the field, the AZ Alkmaar players jogged back into position, unaware of the silent storm brewing on the sidelines.

Moments earlier, when Gudmundsson’s curling effort had whisked past the far post, Verbeek’s shoulders had tensed, and his body leaned forward as if trying to will the ball into the net.

The near-miss left him pacing a few steps back and forth, his hand briefly running through his graying hair.

"That’s two golden opportunities we’ve let slip," he murmured, shaking his head.

His frustration boiled over when Eto’o’s header rattled the crossbar at the other end. He slammed a fist against the side of the dugout, startling one of the substitutes sitting nearest to him.

"We’re inviting trouble," Verbeek snapped, his voice low but filled with controlled anger. "Why isn’t anyone closing him down? He’s been doing this for years!"

The assistant coach offered a hesitant nod, scribbling something on his clipboard.

As the first half neared its end, Verbeek’s agitation simmered beneath the surface. Every misplaced pass or mistimed challenge drew a subtle shake of his head.

When Alvarado pulled off another spectacular save to deny Lassana Diarra, Verbeek clapped twice, more out of relief than approval.

"Alvarado’s bailing us out," he muttered. "But he can’t keep doing this all night. We need to wake up out there."

Fweeee!~ Fweeee!~

The halftime whistle finally came, offering a momentary reprieve to the away yeam.

Verbeek turned sharply toward the tunnel, his gaze flicking to each player as they trudged past him, sweat-soaked and weary.