Shakhtar Donetsk and AZ Alkmaar Set for Conference League Quarter-Final Clash
Shakhtar Donetsk will meet Dutch side AZ Alkmaar in the quarter-finals of the UEFA Europa Conference League. The first leg, which will be Shakhtar's home fixture, is scheduled for April 9, with the return leg in the Netherlands set for April 16. This tie promises to be a compelling encounter, as both teams have shown strong form in the preceding knockout rounds.
Road to the Quarter-Finals
In the previous round, AZ secured a convincing aggregate victory over Prague's Sparta, winning 2-1 at home and 4-0 away. Shakhtar, for their part, successfully navigated their play-off round, defeating Armenian side FC Noah with a 0-1 away win and a 4-0 victory at home. These results highlight the impressive momentum both clubs carry into this meeting.
AZ began their 2025/26 Conference League campaign in the second qualifying round, eliminating the following teams:
- Ilves (Finland)
- Vaduz (Liechtenstein)
- Levski Sofia (Bulgaria)
In the group stage, AZ accumulated 10 points, securing victories against:
- Slovan Bratislava (Slovakia)
- Shelbourne (Ireland)
- Drita (Kosovo)
They also played to a draw with Jagiellonia Białystok (Poland).
AZ's history against Ukrainian clubs includes six previous encounters, featuring matches against Dynamo Kyiv, Metalist Kharkiv, Mariupol, Dnipro-1, and Dnipro. The most notable meeting came in the 2004/05 UEFA Cup round of 16, where AZ defeated Shakhtar Donetsk twice, with scores of 3:1 and 2:1. This historical context adds an extra layer of intrigue to the upcoming fixture.
Given the history between the clubs and their recent performances, the upcoming two-legged tie between Shakhtar and AZ is poised to be a tense and fascinating battle. Both sides possess considerable European experience and are determined to secure a place in the Conference League semi-finals. The Europa Conference League has provided a vital platform for clubs across the continent to compete for European silverware.
The quarter-final clash between Shakhtar and AZ represents a critical juncture for both clubs. Success in this tie could significantly boost their prospects of advancing further in the tournament. Considering past results and the teams' European pedigree, this match is sure to capture the attention of football fans not only in Ukraine and the Netherlands but across Europe.
As both teams gear up for this exciting clash, it's worth noting how Shakhtar's recent journey in the tournament has shaped their current form. Despite a challenging home defeat against Lech, they demonstrated resilience and tactical prowess, which could play a crucial role in their upcoming matches against AZ Alkmaar.