The player ratings from the match in the fourth round of the Europa League
Europa League matchday four: AZ Alkmaar vs Juventus
AZ Alkmaar
Juventus
Vicario 6: Has little to do in the first half beyond comfortably dealing with a deflected shot. The defence blocks the few efforts AZ manage after the break, while Smit shoots high from a very good position. Deep into stoppage time, Vicario produces a superb save to deny Meerdink, although the chance is ruled out for offside against the AZ striker.
Kalulu 6: Provides cover for Kolo Muani on the right and occasionally tries to play him in, but rarely overlaps. He ventures forward more at the start of the second half before struggling late on and dropping too deep into the penalty area.
Gatti 7: Wearing the captain's armband, he starts alertly, making precise, clean tackles. Early in the second half, he stops Daal getting past him and deflects his shot for a corner. He then overcomplicates a counter-attack and costs his team a good opportunity. A few minutes later, he misplaces the decisive pass to Alajbegovic. In the 70th minute, he intercepts the ball on the edge of his own area and carries it out. Exhausted, he goes off and hands the armband to Bremer (78' Bremer 5.5: He tries to make his presence felt in the middle of the penalty area during the Dutch side's late onslaught, but struggles badly).
Lucumí 6: Alongside Gatti, he looks to play more precisely and commit fewer fouls than in recent outings. After a largely quiet 80 minutes, he struggles late on, like the rest of the Juventus defence.
Kelly 5: Completes the trio of central defenders in Spalletti's back line. He marks well, but his clearances and attempts to start attacks draw Spalletti's fury on the bench. He shares the blame with Cabal for AZ's goal to make it 2-1.
Sarr 6: Works hard and covers plenty of ground. He has few touches but helps link the different areas of the team, provides cover and wins the ball back.
T.Koopmeiners 7: The prodigal son returns to his Alkmaar with a fine left-footed volley and does not celebrate when the ball hits the net. In the second half, De Busser makes an error with his feet and ends up away from his goal, but Koopmeiners does not attempt a lob from outside the area. He also wins the ball back on a couple of valuable occasions.
Cambiaso 5.5: Starting as a wide midfielder, he drops back when Juventus defend to form a back five with Kalulu on the right and the three central defenders. He struggles a little at the start of the second half, picks up a booking and makes way with half an hour remaining (60' Cabal 5: He settles confidently on the left flank without taking risks and also switches to the right when he swaps places with Kalulu. He shares the blame with Kelly for AZ's goal to make it 2-1).
Woltemade 5.5: Juventus use him as their central attacking outlet tonight, with Kolo Muani on the right and Alajbegovic on the left. As ever, his movement is cumbersome and his passing often inaccurate, but he combines well with the Frenchman in the one-two for Kolo Muani's goal (78' Ekhator 5.5: He makes his debut, plays more defensively than in attack and picks up a booking).
Alajbegovic 6.5: Juventus play mainly down the right through Kolo Muani, giving him fewer opportunities on the left. Midway through the first half, he hits a powerful right-footed shot just over the crossbar, then handles a couple of balls with the composure of a veteran. He gets into good positions to score twice in the second half, but first Koopmeiners and then Gatti misplace the final pass (60' Boga 6: He shows a couple of his trademark flashes).
Kolo Muani 7.5: His opening right-footed shot across goal goes just wide of the post. From the right wing, he then provides a fine assist for Koopmeiners' goal. He scores Juventus' second himself, tenaciously winning the ball back, exchanging passes with Woltemade and finishing with a fine left-footed shot. He starts the second half on the right again but roams across the front line, often using his pace to beat his direct opponent (86' Douglas Luiz: not rated).
Manager Spalletti 6.5: Playing Kolo Muani on the right proves an effective new move. Whether it is a one-night insight or a turning point in the season for both the French striker and Spalletti remains to be seen. He also manages the start of the second half well, but Juventus fail to land the knockout blow. They come under tremendous pressure late on, and his substitutions do not help.