Jagiellonia were hit by an injury after just two minutes as Dušan Stojinović had to be replaced by Yuki Kobayashi, in a lively opening to a match which saw Troy Parrott and Weslley Patati going close for the hosts. Though possession was evenly split, the visitors were able to control the pace of the game at times.
Sven Mijnans was consistently on the front foot for AZ, and by the half-hour mark had already had four shots in the game, giving him 21 in total in this season’s competition, the most by any player.
Sławomir Abramowicz was overworked in the visitors’ goal as the first-half onslaught continued, with AZ’s Kees Smit at the hub of everything. Jagiellonia came more into the match as HT approached, and Oskar Pietuszewski can consider himself unlucky not to have scored after a mazy dribble and shot, which Rome-Jayden Owusu-Oduro did well to save.
A VAR-reviewed penalty for the visitors wasn’t given, ensuring the two teams remained level at the break.
Both teams had opportunities to attack in the period immediately after HT, though a flurry of corners didn’t produce any noteworthy goal attempts, thanks to the efforts of both defences. Parrott’s ambitious curling effort on 54 minutes was a whisker away from opening the scoring, and AZ’s chances of winning were increased just after the hour when Jagiellonia’s Afimico Pululu was sent off for serious foul play after a VAR review.
Parrot, again, tormented the Jagiellonia defence late on, but to Bernardo Vital’s credit, the chance was thwarted. Despite only having the ball for fleeting periods, the visitors’ backs-against-the-wall performance saw them earn a precious point.
However, the result means that Jagiellonia have now gone six games without a win in all competitions, and the draw ensures AZ have confirmed their place in the Conference League playoffs at worst.
Flashscore man of the match: Troy Parrott (AZ)
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