AZ looking for maiden win

Posted Tuesday, September 29, 2009 by PA

AZ Alkmaar will be seeking to register their first victory of their Champions League Group H campaign when they meet Standard Liege on Tuesday.

The Dutch champions were beaten 1-0 at Olympiacos in their opener but should find Standard more obliging opponents.

Liege began their European adventure with a thrilling 3-2 defeat by Arsenal, going 2-0 up inside five minute through Eliaquim Mangala and Milan Jovanovic, only to crumble before the Gunners' second-half onslaught.

Coach Laszlo Boloni admits his side self-destructed against the Barclays Premier League heavyweights.

"We started very well, but were not strong enough mentally to continue the same way in the second half," he said.

"We sat back in midfield, so all the pressure was too much for us."

AZ Alkmaar are one of this season's Champions League newcomers but they bring with them a magnificent home record in Europe - losing just one of the 33 matches they have they played.

Since their European debut in 1977 - an 11-1 victory against Red Boys Differdange - they were toppled at their new DSB-Stadium in December 2007 when Everton won 3-2.

However, their recent form has been poor with FC Utrecht sending Ronald Koeman's side crashing to their third successive defeat of the Eredivisie season with a 1-0 triumph at the Galgenwaard Stadium on Saturday night.

Liege are making their debut in the Champions League group stage after missing out last season when they beaten by Liverpool in their third-round qualifier.

Before the Arsenal fixture they were unbeaten in 15 games at home in all competitions, but have been hit by the loss of captain Steven Defour to a broken foot for at least three months.

It has been 35 years since Standard have played a Dutch club in Europe with their only other visit to Holland being a 2-0 defeat by Feyenoord in the 1973-74 UEFA Cup.