AZ vs West Ham Europa Conference League semi

Thursday, May 18, 2023

When is it? How can you watch it? What are the possible line-ups? All you need to know about the UEFA Europa Conference League semi-final second leg between AZ and West Ham.

AZ Alkmaar and West Ham meet in their UEFA Europa Conference League semi-final second leg on Thursday 18 May.

AZ vs West Ham at a glance

When: Thursday 18 May (21:00 CET kick-off)Where: AZ Stadion, AlkmaarWhat: UEFA Europa Conference League semi-final second leg (first leg: 1-2)How to follow: Build-up and live coverage can be found hereWinners are the nominal away team in the final against Basel or Fiorentina in Prague

Fans can find their local UEFA Europa Conference League broadcast partner(s) here.

AZ's grim recent record away against English sides continued as they fell to a seventh loss in their last seven trips in the first leg. However, they will be encouraged by the way they dealt with West Ham's threat right up until Said Benrahma's 67th-minute penalty, with coach Pascal Jansen sure to take positives from what was a largely impressive performance from his young side.

The Hammers will be the favourites to progress to the final in Prague, but if the likes of Tijjani Reijnders and Jordy Clasie can pull the strings in midfield again, as they did in the first leg, then AZ can still hope of producing the kind of second-leg comeback they managed against Anderlecht in the quarter-finals.

AZ: Ryan; Sugawara, Beukema, Hatzidiakos, Kerkez; Reijnders, Mijnans, Clasie; Odgaard, Pavlidis, Karlsson

West Ham: Areola; Kehrer, Zouma, Ogbonna, Cresswell; Souček, Rice; Bowen, Lucas Paquetá, Benrahma; Ings

AZForm (all competitions, most recent first): WLDWWWWhere they stand: 3rd in Dutch Eredivisie

West HamForm (all competitions, most recent first): LWWLLLWhere they stand: 15th in English Premier League

Derek Brookman, AZ reporterDuring the first hour in London last week, AZ demonstrated how comfortable they are in possession, albeit without creating too many chances. But after Benrahma's penalty levelled the tie, they were clearly second best. Expect them once again to be dominant on the ball in Alkmaar, but this time with an extra intensity and greater commitment to attack. The possible return of both Jesper Karlsson and Dani de Wit will give Pascal Jansen additional options up front that just might help tip the balance in AZ's favour.

Lynsey Hooper, West Ham reporterA one-goal lead puts West Ham in the driving seat for this semi-final second leg, but AZ have overturned deficits before at home this campaign, so getting the first goal will be key. With doubts over Michail Antonio's fitness, Moyes may turn to Danny Ings to lead his line in the Netherlands. Having made nine changes for the Premier League defeat at Brentford, it is clear that the Hammers' priorities lie in Europe. As long as the occasion does not overawe them, they should be on course to contest for the club's first silverware in 23 years.

Pascal Jansen, AZ coach: "We should not underestimate the qualities of West Ham, but we are convinced that we can reach the final. I certainly realise that this is very special. We have every conviction and belief that we will make it. Every player has to focus on their tasks and responsibilities."

David Moyes, West Ham manager: "There's very little in it. If we were a goal down we'd be saying we have a chance. It's an open game and we have to go for it. We have to go through this process before we think any further. You have to take every opportunity you’ve got to win every competition."

What happens next?

The winners advance to the 2023 Europa Conference League final against Basel or Fiorentina. The Eden Arena in Prague, Czechia, will host this season's final on 7 June.