Against All Odds: Legacy Of A Football King-Chapter 331: Winter Window Drawing Near

The AFAS Stadion’s lights dimmed, but Alkmaar’s streets pulsed with pride after AZ’s 3-1 win over FC Utrecht on November 28. Fans spilled out, scarves waving, chanting Benjamin’s name, their team one point behind Eredivisie leaders Ajax.

The buzz carried into the next two weeks, a whirlwind of matches and training under gray December skies. AZ Alkmaar faced three games in quick succession, their momentum a spark in the cold.

Monday’s training at the AFAS Complex was sharp, Gertjan Verbeek’s whistle cutting through the chill. Benjamin darted through drills, his boots flicking past cones, while Altidore powered headers past Esteban Alvarado.

The squad laughed, sweat steaming, but their focus was iron—Europa League and Eredivisie battles loomed. Gertjan Verbeek clapped, urging pace, his clipboard marked with tactics for BSC Young Boys.

Thursday, December 6, arrived, and AZ Alkmaar traveled to Bern for a 7:00 PM Europa League clash. The Stade de Suisse was icy, Young Boys’ yellow and black flags clashing with AZ Alkmaar’s red and white.

Gertjan Verbeek rested the star players, trusting his second team. Dave and Peter settled into the commentary booth, headsets on, the pitch gleaming under floodlights.

[Dave’s voice was warm. Welcome to Bern, folks! Dave here with Peter for Young Boys versus AZ Alkmaar, Europa League Group A. AZ Alkmaar can lock in top spot tonight—how’s this second team looking, Peter?]

[Peter grinned, scribbling. They’re hungry, Dave. Guðmundsson, Elm, Overtoom—Gertjan Verbeek’s got depth. Young Boys are out, but they’ll fight. I’m saying 2-1 AZ Alkmaar.]

Fweeeee!~

The whistle blew, and AZ Alkmaar’s reserves took charge. Guðmundsson sprinted down the right, crossing low in the 15th minute.

Roy Beerens met it, volleying past Bürki. The away fans roared, scarves swinging. Elm doubled the lead in the 32nd minute, nodding in Overtoom’s corner.

Nick Overtoom sealed it in the 67th minute, firing from 20 yards. Young Boys pushed, but Yves De Winter’s saves kept a clean sheet.

The 3-0 win, paired with Liverpool’s last-minute draw against Udinese, secured AZ Alkmaar’s top spot in Group A with 15 points.

[Dave shouted. Full time, Peter! AZ Alkmaar 3-0, and they’re Group A champions!]

[Peter clapped, buzzing. Verbeek’s backups deliver, Dave! That’s a statement!]

Two days later, Saturday, December 8, AZ Alkmaar faced Willem II away at 6:45 PM in the Eredivisie. Tilburg’s Koning Willem II Stadion was packed, the home crowd loud but outnumbered by AZ Alkmaar’s traveling fans.

Gertjan Verbeek recalled his starters, Benjamin and Altidore leading the line. The game was tight, Willem II’s defense stubborn.

In the 41st minute, Benjamin broke through, chopping past Peters with a step-over and crossing low. Altidore dummied, letting it roll to Henriksen, who scored.

Willem II equalized in the 60th minute, a deflection off Viergever. But in the 78th minute, Gottin’s clumsy foul in the 18 yard box gave AZ Alkmaar a penalty.

Altidore stepped up, smashing it past Meul. The 2-1 win kept AZ Alkmaar’s title chase alive.

[Peter’s voice surged. Altidore’s ice-cold, Dave! 2-1, AZ Alkmaar nick it!]

[Dave chuckled. Benjamin’s spark, Altidore’s nerve, Peter. They’re relentless!]

Back in Alkmaar, training resumed under Gertjan Verbeek’s watchful eye. The squad was buoyant, their Europa League triumph and Eredivisie form fueling confidence.

Altidore bantered with Berghuis, their passes crisp in drills, while Benjamin worked free kicks, his shots rattling the underside of the bar before settling into the back of the net.

The winter transfer window drew closer, whispers of incoming offers for AZ Alkmaar’s top players began circling. Gertjan Verbeek brushed off the talk, saying his focus was on PEC Zwolle at home.

Saturday, December 15, brought Matchday 16 to the AFAS Stadion at 6:45 PM. The stands brimmed with red and white, fans chanting as the sun dipped low. Dave and Peter settled in, the pitch crisp under floodlights.

[Dave’s voice lifted. Here we are, Peter, AZ Alkmaar versus PEC Zwolle, Eredivisie action! AZ Alkmaar are flying—two wins in a week. Can they keep the heat on Ajax?]

[Peter nodded, pen tapping. They’re on a roll, Dave. Benjamin’s magic down the wing, and Altidore’s goals—Zwolle’s in trouble. I’m going 3-0. Your call?]

[Dave grinned. I’ll say 4-0, Peter. AZ Alkmaar’s attack is too much tonight.]

Fweeeee!~

The whistle blew, and AZ Alkmaar dominated right from the start.

In the 19th minute, Benjamin darted down the left, chopping past Van der Werff with a La Croqueta. His cross found Berghuis, who volleyed past Boer. The stadium shook, scarves flying.

Henriksen set up the second in the 35th minute, his through ball splitting Zwolle’s defense for Altidore to slot home. After halftime, Benjamin struck again, his 62nd-minute cross nodded in by Berghuis for 3-0.

Guðmundsson sealed the rout in the 80th minute, latching onto Henriksen’s pass and firing low. Zwolle barely threatened, Esteban Alvarado was untested.

[Dave roared. Goal! Guðmundsson makes it 4-0! AZ are tearing Zwolle apart!]

[Peter clapped, grinning. This is a clinic, Dave! Benjamin’s assists, Berghuis’s brace—unstoppable!]

Fweeee!~ Fweeeee!~ Fweeeeeee!~

The final whistle blew, AZ Alkmaar 4-0 winners. The players jogged to the fans, Benjamin waving, Berghuis pumping his fist.

Gertjan Verbeek clapped from the touchline, his nod brief but proud. Zwolle’s players trudged off, heads low, outclassed. The scoreboard flashed the Eredivisie table: AZ Alkmaar still one point behind Ajax, their pressure unrelenting.

[Dave leaned back, warm. Full time, Peter! AZ Alkmaar 4-0, and they’re right on Ajax’s tail!]

[Peter scribbled, buzzing. What a week, Dave! Benjamin’s running the show, Berghuis is lethal. Ajax are feeling this!]

In the booth, Dave and Peter dissected the match. Benjamin’s two assists were the spark, his pace and trickery overwhelming Zwolle.

Berghuis’s brace showed his growing confidence, while Altidore’s goal and Guðmundsson’s finish capped a ruthless display.

Henriksen’s two assists underlined AZ Alkmaar’s midfield control. Zwolle’s defense crumbled, unable to handle AZ Alkmaar’s speed and movement.

[Peter’s voice sharpened. Benjamin’s a nightmare, Dave. Two assists tonight, a goal and assist at Willem II—he’s carrying AZ Alkmaar, literally.]

[Dave nodded, mic close. He’s a gem, Peter. And Berghuis stepping up? That’s huge. Gertjan Verbeek’s got this team clicking.]

The broadcast shifted to the bigger picture. AZ Alkmaar’s three wins—3-0 over Young Boys, 2-1 at Willem II, 4-0 against Zwolle—cemented their Eredivisie chase and Europa League dominance.

Group A’s final standings flashed:

[Group A]

1. AZ Alkmaar |P(5)| GD(+7)| Pts(15)|

2. Liverpool |P(5)| GD(+8)| Pts(13)|

3. Udinese |P(5)| GD(-2)| Pts(4)|

4. Young Boys |P(5)| GD(-12)| Pts(0)|

AZ Alkmaar atop with 15 points, Liverpool second at 13, Udinese at 4, Young Boys at 0. The winter transfer window rumors had begun circulating.

Scouts from the Top-Five League clubs came to watched the AZ Alkmaar match, specifically Benjamin, his flair drawing eyes. Altidore’s goals sparked talk of Bundesliga interest, while Berghuis’s form caught Ligue 1 glances.

[Dave’s voice lifted. AZ Alkmaar are flying, Peter, but that transfer window’s coming. Benjamin, Altidore—can they stay?]

[Peter sighed, scribbling. Tough one, Dave. Benjamin’s a hot ticket, Altidore’s lethal. Gertjan Verbeek’ll fight to keep them, but big offers are coming.]

The stadium emptied, fans spilling into Alkmaar’s streets, their chants echoing. The AFAS Stadion’s lights dimmed, but AZ Alkmaar’s fire burned bright.

Gertjan Verbeek gathered the squad post-match, his voice firm, praising their ruthlessness but eyeing the next challenge. December’s chill deepened and the transfer window’s growing closer, but AZ Alkmaar stood tall, one point from Ajax, their hunger undimmed.

[Dave’s tone was final, bright. That’s it from Alkmaar, Peter! AZ Alkmaar roll on, 4-0 winners, breathing down Ajax’s neck!]

[Peter clapped, grinning. What a team, Dave! The Eredivisie’s on fire. Goodnight, folks!]