by the editorsRead two minutes
Next month, a special AZ Talents competition awaits. As youth league winners, they will face the under-20 Libertadores Cup winners on September 9. Discount? Boca Juniors. battle scene? La Bombonera. It’s an eagerly awaited poster in Alkmaar.
On September 9, the Bombonera’s magical stadium, Diego Armando Maradona’s stadium, will be the place where a talented generation of AZ players can write history. Although the game will not be played for more than three weeks, people are already starting to prepare for what should be an unforgettable trip to Buenos Aires.
Juri van Aken is one of the players who will be on board next month. “A terrible game,” said Van Aken after beating Young FC Utrecht (1-0) about the duel with his Boca Juniors teammates. “Every game is the other, so Friday first. But you always want to stay fit,” the defender replied modestly when asked if he already had the final in mind. He promised that in the coming weeks he would do some Googling for “La Bombonera”.
Sierksma coaches AZ at Finalissima
The architect behind the success of AZ Talents is Jan Sierksma. Under his leadership, the youngsters made a name for themselves in Europe. AZ beat superpowers Barcelona and Real Madrid. In the final, Hajduk Split fell 5-0.
Sierksa was promoted this summer and moved from AZ Under-19 to Young AZ. But the coach is in Argentina. “We won this award with that group. We go there with the same people. I’m going to coach this match,” he said.
“The difference is that we played in Switzerland with an under-19 team and this is an under-20 match. We are of course very excited to play this poster together. Especially in such a stadium: this is unique.” Sierksma beams when he talks about La Bombonera, but he quickly gets his turn back. “It’s a good prospect, but the focus will of course be next Friday against NAC.”
