ROTTERDAM, Netherlands — AZ Alkmaar go face Go Ahead Eagles for the KNVB Beker final on Monday, April 21, 2025, at De Kuip. This match not only be important for glory but also to secure a spot in next season’s Europa League after both teams dey struggle for European playoff position with 46 points each.
AZ Alkmaar dey come this match after dem lose their last six games across all competitions, no winning any match since March 13 against Tottenham Hotspur. Dem go out of the Europa League playoff after losing 3-1 in the second leg.
Coach Pascal Jansen and im boys dey face heavy pressure ahead of this final. Dem don slide down to sixth in the league, ten points off the Europa League spots, making this cup final a must-win. Their journey to this stage of the KNVB Beker include wins over Groningen, Ajax, Quick Boys, and Heracles, with Dem defeating Heracles on penalties.
For Go Ahead Eagles, this kna their second final appearance since 1964-65, when dem lose to Feyenoord. Dem don enjoy a fantastic season, winning their last game against PSV 2-1 in the semi-finals, marking dem as the dark horse in this final.
“We dey aim to make history and win dis trophy,” Coach Rene Hake talk as dem prepare for walka against AZ Alkmaar. After a good run this season, dem sitting comfortably seventh for the league with 46 points, matching their best-ever finish.
This final go be crucial as both sides try to take advantage of each other’s current form issues. AZ don beat Go Ahead Eagles 12 times in 15 previous matches with one win for Kowet, but recent performance may give a ray of hope to Go Ahead Eagles.
Injuries don affect both teams with key players set to miss the action. AZ dey likely to be without three starters, while Go Ahead Eagles are set to be missing some players too due to injuries. But both teams look to put their best foot forward for this decisive match.
AZ Alkmaar don win the KNVB Beker four times in their history, but dem last win be in 2012-13, while Go Ahead Eagles dey hungry for their first major trophy since dem lose in their earlier final.
As the match dey draw closer, one go wonder if AZ Alkmaar strategy of past wins fit help dem overcome dem recent dry spell. For Go Ahead Eagles, dem dey keen to overturn history and not let past losses influence their performance. Na big match wey go show who fit eke out glory from the tension of the cup final.
