Kees Smit returns to AZ squad for Juventus match
Kees Smit has returned to AZ’s squad for Thursday’s Europa League match against Juventus after more than three weeks out injured, though the midfielder is not ready to start.
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AZ midfielder Kees Smit is back in the squad for Thursday’s Europa League match against Juventus after recovering from an injury, but coach Leeroy Echteld says the 20-year-old is not ready to start.
Smit was injured while playing for the Netherlands’ under-21 side more than three weeks ago. He missed five AZ matches: league games against Feyenoord, FC Twente and Ajax, and Europa League fixtures against Hapoel Be’er Sheva and FC Ararat-Armenia.
Echteld said he was pleased to have the midfielder available again. He expects a tough match and said AZ would need to be well organised to make it difficult for Juventus. The game kicks off in Alkmaar at 21:00 on Thursday.
The fixture also has personal significance for AZ midfielder Peer Koopmeiners: his older brother Teun, a former AZ player, plays for Juventus. Peer said he was looking forward to the occasion and expected friends and family to attend. He said the brothers would focus on their own performances during the match.
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