AZ 0-0 Jagiellonia Białystok Player Ratings: Alexandre Penetra 8.5/10 Rated as Stalemate at AFAS Stadion as Visitors Finish with Ten Men 0-0

A frustrating evening at the AFAS Stadion saw AZ held to a goalless draw by a resolute ten-man Jagiellonia Białystok side in the Europa Conference League. Despite dominating possession and having a man advantage for the final thirty minutes, the home side simply couldn't find a way through. It was a classic case of missed opportunities and stubborn defending.

From our perspective, the entire dynamic of the match shifted dramatically in the 63rd minute. Afimico Pululu received a straight red card after a VAR review for a reckless challenge, a moment of madness that should have opened the floodgates for AZ. Instead, the Polish visitors dug their heels in, forming a low block that AZ's attack repeatedly failed to penetrate. What stood out to us was the lack of clinical finishing from the home side.

Sven Mijnans was particularly guilty, squandering several chances throughout the game, including a big miss early on. While AZ huffed and puffed, creating a flurry of corners and half-chances, the Jagiellonia defence, marshalled brilliantly by their centre-backs, stood firm. The final whistle was met with a sense of deflation from the home fans, while the visitors celebrated a hard-earned point on the road. Here are Sportsdunia's AZ vs Jagiellonia Białystok player ratings.

AZ Player Ratings vs Jagiellonia Białystok

Check out the AZ player ratings for the AZ vs Jagiellonia Białystok fixture.

Goalkeeper

Rome Jayden Owusu-Oduro - 6.5: Had a surprisingly quiet night for the most part. He was only called into action for one significant save in the first half which he dealt with comfortably. From our perspective, he did what was required with minimal fuss. His distribution was okay, though a few long balls went astray. A quiet evening's work.

Defenders

Wouter Goes - 7.0: A solid and composed performance before being substituted late on. His passing was impressively accurate, helping build from the back. We noticed he was strong in his duels and made some important clearances. The yellow card was a slight blot on an otherwise decent display.

Alexandre Penetra - 8.5: Our man of the match. An absolute rock at the back for AZ. He was dominant in the air and on the ground, winning nearly every duel he contested. His distribution was exceptional, with an incredible 90% long ball accuracy that constantly tried to launch attacks. A commanding performance that deserved to be on the winning side.

Mateo Chávez - 6.0: A mixed outing for the defender. He was tidy in possession with a high pass completion rate but struggled at times defensively. He picked up an early yellow card for a clumsy challenge and was beaten a couple of times. Seemed a bit off the pace before being taken off.

Mees de Wit - 7.5: Another very strong performance in the AZ backline. His passing was almost perfect, and he was a constant, reliable presence on the left. He contributed defensively with key interceptions and was always available as an outlet. A very polished and professional display.

Midfielders

Peer Koopmeiners - 6.5: A busy but ultimately frustrating performance. He worked hard in the midfield, recovering the ball and making tackles, but his final product was lacking. He gave away possession a few too many times for our liking. He put in a shift but couldn't provide the spark needed to unlock the defense.

Weslley Patati - 6.0: Showed some bright sparks in the first hour before being substituted. He got into good positions and had a few shots blocked, but his overall influence was limited. He created one big chance but struggled to consistently beat his man. A decent effort, but not a game-changing one.

Kees Smit - 7.0: The creative hub for much of the game. He was always looking for a forward pass, creating three chances for his teammates. He was also excellent at driving with the ball, completing several dribbles. However, what stood out was the high number of times he lost possession, which took the edge off his otherwise inventive performance.

Forwards

Troy Parrott - 5.5: A really tough night for the striker. He was completely isolated and starved of service. With only 19 touches in 90 minutes, he was a ghost for large periods. He did create a couple of chances for others, but his own game was marked by lost duels and fouls. A performance to forget.

Sven Mijnans - 6.0: A perplexing performance. He was involved in everything, taking five shots and creating three chances. Yet, his finishing was abysmal. He missed a huge chance early on and never seemed to have his shooting boots on. You can't fault his effort, but his lack of composure in front of goal was a major reason AZ didn't win.

Isak Jensen - 6.5: A tireless worker on the flank. He attempted a lot of dribbles and recovered the ball frequently. His defensive contribution was notable, but he couldn't quite deliver in the final third. The yellow card late in the game seemed born of frustration.

Substitutes

Ro-Zangelo Daal - 6.0: Came on for Patati but failed to make a significant impact.

Matej Sín - 6.5: Looked lively after coming on, had a shot blocked and tried to make things happen.

Ibrahim Sadiq - 6.0: Missed a decent chance shortly after coming on, blazing it over the bar.

Elijah Dijkstra - N/A: Not on long enough to rate.

Lequincio Zeefuik - N/A: Not on long enough to rate.

Manager

M. Martens - 5.5: From our perspective, he has to take some responsibility. His team had a man advantage for 30 minutes at home and couldn't score. The substitutions didn't provide the necessary spark, and the team looked devoid of ideas against the low block. A tactically disappointing evening for the AZ boss.

Jagiellonia Białystok Player Ratings vs AZ

Check out the Jagiellonia Białystok player ratings for the AZ vs Jagiellonia Białystok fixture.

Goalkeeper

Slawomir Abramowicz - 7.5: Made a couple of crucial saves in the first half to keep his team level. He commanded his area well under pressure, especially in the second half. Showed good hands and was a calming presence. A key figure in securing the point.

Defenders

Dusan Stojinovic - N/A: Cruelly forced off with an injury after just a couple of minutes.

Bernardo Vital - 8.0: An immense defensive performance. He was a warrior at the back, making crucial clearances, blocks, and interceptions. He seemed to be in the right place at the right time, especially after his team went down to ten men. A fantastic display of defensive grit.

Norbert Wojtuszek - 7.5: Just as vital as his defensive partner. He was a tackling machine, winning the ball back time and again. He read the game expertly, making three interceptions. His positioning was excellent and he helped frustrate the AZ attack all night.

Bartlomiej Wdowik - 7.0: A solid and reliable performance on the defensive flank. He was diligent with his duties, making important recoveries and interceptions. While his crossing wasn't always on point, his defensive solidity was unquestionable. Held his own against the AZ wingers.

Midfielders

Taras Romanczuk - 7.0: The captain led by example. It wasn't a pretty performance, but it was effective. He broke up play, made vital clearances, and put his body on the line. His passing wasn't the best, but his defensive work rate was immense for his team's cause.

Álex Pozo - 6.0: A fairly quiet game before his substitution. He worked hard but struggled to get involved in the attacking phase of play. He was solid enough and drew a foul but didn't leave a major mark on the proceedings.

Leon Flach - 7.0: A terrier in midfield. He made a high number of tackles and interceptions, constantly disrupting AZ's rhythm. He was a nuisance all evening, committing a few fouls but doing the dirty work his team needed. A really effective spoiling performance.

Oskar Pietuszewski - 6.5: Showed flashes of what he can do. He had a good shot saved in the first half and completed a few dribbles. However, he also lost the ball frequently and was beaten too easily at times. A mixed bag, but he provided a rare attacking outlet.

Forwards

Afimico Pululu - 4.0: The worst performer on the pitch by a distance. He let his team down massively with a moment of stupidity. The straight red card was deserved and put his team under immense pressure. Before that, he was ineffective and lost the ball constantly. A dreadful display.

Jesús Imaz - 6.0: Worked hard up front with very little service. He held the ball up when he could and tried to link play, but it was a thankless task. He was caught offside and couldn't get any shots away. A difficult night for the forward.

Substitutes

Yuki Kobayashi - 6.5: Came on early for the injured Stojinovic and slotted in well.

Bartosz Mazurek - 6.5: Brought on to help shore up the defence and did his job effectively.

Dimitris Rallis - N/A: Not on long enough to rate.

Manager

A. Siemieniec - 7.5: What stood out to us was his team's incredible organization and spirit. He lost a player to injury inside 4 minutes and another to a red card, yet his side still secured a clean sheet away from home. He set his team up brilliantly to defend for their lives, and it paid off. A tactical masterclass in resilience.

Sportsdunia's Player of the Match Goes to Alexandre Penetra