Preview: AZ Seeks Road Win at Drita in Europa League Group Stage

ALKMAAR, Netherlands (Interstat) — Dutch side AZ will look to solidify its position in Europa League Group G when it travels to face Kosovo’s KF Drita on Thursday.

The match at Stadiumi i Qytetit të Gjilanit presents a contrast in recent form. AZ arrives after a 2-2 home draw with Go Ahead Eagles in Eredivisie play on Sunday, a result that extended its winless run in domestic competition to three matches (0-2-1). Its European form has been stronger, including a 2-0 victory at Ireland’s Shelbourne FC on Nov. 27.

Drita, the Kosovan champion, enters with momentum from a 1-0 home win over Shkendija in domestic play on Nov. 27. In Europa League action, Drita earned a critical 1-0 away win at Shelbourne on Nov. 6, keeping its hopes of advancing in the competition alive.

The statistical service Interstat projects a 2-1 victory for the visiting Dutch club.

AZ’s campaign has been marked by inconsistency. The team boasts impressive results like a 4-1 win over Utrecht and a 2-0 victory at Ajax in October, but also suffered a heavy 4-0 defeat at AEK Larnaca in Europa League play on Oct. 2.

Drita has proven resilient at home in Europe this season, with a draw against Cyprus’s Omonoia and key qualifying victories. This match is a rare meeting between clubs from the Netherlands and Kosovo in UEFA competition.

Following Thursday’s match, AZ will turn its focus to a domestic clash with Excelsior on Dec. 14 before a final Europa Conference League group stage game against Poland’s Jagiellonia Bialystok on Dec. 18. Drita’s next scheduled match is a trip to face Spain’s Rayo Vallecano in the Europa League on Dec. 18.

Kickoff is set for 9 p.m. local time in Gjilan.