AZ faces ‘tough opponent’ in last 16 Conference League with Lazio
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AZ has been paired with Italy’s Lazio, the current number five in Serie A, in the draw for the Conference League eighth finals.
“It’s a tough opponent, although I don’t know if it was the toughest opponent,” AZ coach Pascal Jansen commented on the draw.
“But it’s a nice draw. I’m looking forward to it. I remember that Feyenoord had a very difficult time there,” Jansen is referring to the Rotterdammers’ Europa League group matches with Lazio earlier this season.
Feyenoord lost 4-2 in Rome and later won 1-0 at home. AZ had not previously played against Lazio in a European context.
A third-place finish in the group meant Lazio had to advance to the intermediate round of the Conference League, where the Italians narrowly beat Romanian Cluj with a 1-0 home win and 0-0 away. Maurizio Sarri is coach of the team and 33-year-old Ciro Immobile the captain and top marksman.
