AZ Alkmaar 1-0 Roma: AZ Secure Dramatic Europa League Win with Troy Parrott's Late Goal
AZ Alkmaar secured a hard-fought 1-0 win against Roma in the UEFA Europa League on January 23, 2025. Read our post-match analysis, with a focus on key moments, tactical insights, and Troy Parrott's match-winning goal.

Perhaps the biggest talking point to come out of Matchday 7 of the UEFA Europa League was AZ Alkmaar vs Roma, a game which the latter managed to crawl out a hard-fought 1-0 win over the Italians. The home team, AZ was tactically disciplined and solid in defense inside the AFAS Stadion, with Roma toothless against this well-set-up backline. Yet, against the run of play, AZ Alkmaar stole it through a clinical, counter-attacking goal that was enough to seal the vital victory and keep their hopes alive.
The kickoff saw an intense game in which AZ Alkmaar was pleading with the home conditions to give them the advantage and came up with an aggressive high press onto Roma. Indeed, quick transitions and dynamic attacking play did catch Roma on the back foot, with visitors composed in possession. The visitors started off brightly in the middle of the park, as Roma counted on the likes of Paulo Dybala to unlock AZ's defense. Still, with its early dominance in possession, Roma struggled to carve out any clear-cut chances in the opening exchanges of this match.
From the AZ Alkmaar perspective, success lay in some disciplined defending because, coming into this contest, it was clear that Roma had to press numbers forward in an attempt to score the opening goal, thereby leaving pockets in behind to try to expose. Of course, yes, the visitor started in control of the pace of play inside of the first five minutes but couldn't carve open any substantial opportunity against the home team as they closed their space out for comfort.
And it was thus that the physicality came into view first from the match between the two dead-even in commitment to win the ball, a spate of fouls and yellow cards littering the first 45 minutes. AZ Alkmaar midfield destroyers really had Roma's offense out of rhythm in the early goings, and with even efforts from Dybala and new signing Artem Dovbyk, Roma just could not get past the AZ backline. The attacking outlets-mostly through Troy Parrott-looking decent on the counter with space failing to yield that final product in the opening exchanges of the match.
But as the match wore on without anything worth mentioning, the Roma attack could not get through an eminently well-organized rear guard that was manned very stoutly indeed by the visiting Dutch players. That was a gradually exasperating period wherein neither of the two sides made any serious foray forward, with neither team in earnest fashioning very clear openings until half-time indeed arrived on level pegs of a 0-0 score-line. Roma dominated possession, but they hadn't really turned those into meaningful opportunities, while Alkmaar still had snatches of what they could do when on the counter-attack.
That was during the second half when the actions sparked into life in both directions; Roma threw on forward Federico Soulé to inject that attacking power in. It seemed, if anything, this would be enough-Roma were now aggressively in pursuit of an opening goal. For AZ Alkmaar, though, things did not dip in the levels of intensity to the defense because a compact and well-structured shape in defense ensured Roma did not break through them. Again, the Dutch were resolute on defense as the Roma attack got frustrated by timely interceptions and tackles.
Second half, Roma had more of the ball, but they continued finding it very hard to break down AZ Alkmaar's defense. Most of the attacking combinations didn't click, while those that did, they either shot wildly off target or the centre-backs for AZ were always in positions to block some of the important shots. The match started getting disjointed with niggling fouls from either side disrupting the play, and rhythm totally disappeared.
Till the 81st minute came the reward. A great counter because, while moving the ball from defense to offense, an incisive pass has been played in the path of Troy Parrott. Keen in the box, young striker slotted the ball past Roma goalkeeper Rui Patrício to give the lead to AZ Alkmaar. Well, that was one good counter-attack, catching Roma on the counter after their forward push had left them exposed at the back. That was the goal which sent these home fans in raptures as the AFAS Stadion erupted in joy.
Down 1-0, Roma came with even more aggressiveness to try to draw level. The blocks and clearances at the back by centre-backs ensured AZ Alkmaar's defense dug deep to hang onto this slender advantage. That only served to frustrate Roma, who just could not find a way through this disciplined home defense. A few efforts-there was one of the most telling, a powerful shot from Dybala over the crossbar-Roma simply could not break down the resistance of AZ Alkmaar.
Roma continued the onslaught-a bit desperately it has to be noted-as it got to its climax. Away side now made their final changes but seemed incapable of earning the goal for drawing one point. AZ continued renegading on its responsibility for goals conceded through soaking up before finally clearing lines to keep the Italians at arm's length. Even Roma were able to get one across deep and square with a well-placed free kick deep into the dying minutes, but the wall was spotless as AZ saw off all interest with a shot clear in the air to win 1-0.
That this was indeed an evening of limited chances-when, for much of it, Roma bossed the bulk of possession-reflects most warmly on the hosts' disciplined dedication. Home side absorb offensive pressure to capitalize on solitary opportunity and ensure full credit of result: Disappointing Roma dominates possession yet fails to score. However hard they tried, though, a tight AZ Alkmaar rear guard would just not crack and ultimately the Italians would be made to pay for not finishing the final ball.
That was the win in important progress to the UEFA Europa League round for AZ Alkmaar as they earned three points to improve their chances of proof for holding at least big European clubs. It was the tactical setup, it was some moments of individual brilliance from people like Parrot that managed to see them through this talented Roma side. This game once more showed how good, well-organized defense and clinical counterattacks can make all the difference between victory or defeat, as it was against such dominant Roma for most possessions.
Beyond this result, AZ Alkmaar will go into the latter stages of their European campaign hugely confident. Solid at the back and able to punish opponents on the counter-attack, they now want more success on the back of this vital win. Roma meanwhile vanish off on holiday to replenish their energies, and have some serious heads-down time regarding just where, in a season sure to be cluttered with disppointment will find the attackings spark woefully lacking on Sunday afternoon or suffer a bleak disappointment. But even in defeat, possession-based style is huge in who they are; sharper in front of goal is exactly what they'll have to become if this European journey is to go on any longer.
Where Roma were dominant in possession and strong at the back, it was more solid defense paid off with superior finishing as AZ Alkmaar won. It all came out 1-0 down as the greatest display of good tactical discipline that was complemented well with proper counter-attacking football by AZ Alkmaar against Roma by the end of this UEFA Europa League match. The result has just shown how unpredictable European football gets, reminding one that even the most dominant teams get beaten with one well-performed plan. It was a well-deserved victory for AZ Alkmaar, while Roma woke up after the match with the conclusion of needing to work on efficiency in front of the goal.