Kees Smit says he returned too soon from groin injury before AZ comeback

Kees Smit says he returned too soon from a groin injury and will be more honest with himself and AZ’s medical staff about how he is feeling. The 20-year-old attacking midfielder made his comeback for AZ Alkmaar against Juventus on Thursday, in a 2-1 Europa League defeat.

“I wanted to play as much as possible, and that can be a trap,” Smit said after the match. He returned prematurely for the Netherlands Under-21 side after his injury, then spent another month out.

Smit said he had wanted to help Jong Oranje, but recognised that sitting out one or two matches might have been wiser if he was not feeling right. The injury also meant he missed games against Feyenoord and Ajax, which he said he was particularly disappointed about.

He came on in the 62nd minute against Juventus with AZ 2-0 down and had a chance to pull a goal back. Smit said he was glad to be playing again and hoped to stay on the pitch.