A thread on Arne Slot's diligent AZ Alkmaar side this season. A young and boisterous team that has risen from the ashes to challenge Ajax for the Dutch Eredivisie league title. A piece of analysis on aspects of their play and how Slot has worked with his youthful side.

First, let's observe how AZ Alkmaar's defensive work this season under Slot. AZ defend in a 4-4-2 zonal low block as they drop into a compact shape to force the opposition into the wide areas.

De Wit will push up next to the striker, Boadu while the wingers will drop next to the double pivot as back pass or sideways pass will trigger AZ into pushing up to press the ball.

In the defensive phase, the midfielders are involved in shifting into the wide areas to prevent the opposition from having numerical superiority by supporting the winger and fullbacks.

The midfielder furthest from the ball will remain central to win possession from balls back into the centre and the opposition winger will tuck inside with his fullback outside of him to intercept switch balls

If the opposition side switch the ball and the AZ winger is caught out of position, then the fullback will push up to put pressure on the ball with the winger drops behind him into the fullback role.

AZ can also switch to a 4-4-1-1 defensive shape with the attacking midfielder dropping to mark the six space with the striker pushing up to mark the centre-backs.

AZ like to keep the spaces small, so they can attack passes in between the lines to regain possession so they can construct quick counter-attacks.

Now let's move onto AZ's pressing. AZ press in a 4-2-3-1 shape as Boadu will press the space in between the centre-backs with horizontal body shape to press the centre-back in possession as Idrissi and Stengs will shift across to press the space in between the CB and FB.

If the opposition has an extra midfielder near the six space or is utilising a double-pivot, Koopmeiners or Midstjo will push up to press the ball and support De Wit.

An extra midfielder will also push up to press the ball if the opposition has the ball in the deep wide areas and are looking to move the ball back into the centre as well as in the counter-pressing situation.

The underlying idea from Slot is that he seeks to force long balls or win balls in the opposition half in order to establish quick breaks to create goalscoring opportunities.

AZ recently has switched to pressing in a high 4-4-2 block with two attackers shielding the same zones as the centre-backs and preventing access into midfielders. AZ look to keep the spaces small in these situations as a winger can move into the centre to cover for a midfielder.

Slot uses this shape against bigger teams as their 4-4-2 press will be triggered after the move out of their 4-4-2 low block due to back passes and sideways passes.

Now let's move onto AZ's build-up play. AZ Alkmaar normally build-up in a 2-1-2-3-2 formation as the centre-backs seek to work passing angles to Teun Koopmeiners in the six space. The AZ build-up shape is very fluid as the fullbacks will remain deeper.

Owen Wijndal a left-back who has a background as a midfielder will sometimes remain deeper to form a three-chain. As he will dribble into the centre to attract markers and create space. Svensson, the right-back will also do the same to work combinations with the DMF/CBS.

AZ by Slot have been encouraged to attract pressure in the build-up phase to create space in the opposition defensive block, they can circulate possession before working a long ball to Myron Boadu or they can work more elaborate triangles.

AZ also utilise Boadu very heavily in the build-up as he will move out wide as a passing option in build-up while he frequently vacates the nine space to move closer to Stengs and Dani De Wit to receive possession and create overloads for quick passing sequences.

To spread the ball into the wide areas allowing Boadu time to make a run into the box. Sometimes, De Wit will move into the nine space allowing Boadu to receive the ball in the deeper areas.

AZ use of fullbacks as build-up channels is made possible by having wingers like Stengs and Idrissi who drop deep in rotations to receive the ball in deep wide zones, to work triangles and switch the ball or work the ball back into the centre so that Idrissi can initiate breaks.

In conclusion, Slot is 41 and has turned AZ into a more entertaining attacking outfit with a defence that has managed to collate the highest number of clean sheets in the Eredivisie. Whilst allowing talents such as Stengs and Boadu to flourish in his free-flowing system.

End of thread.
Likes and RTs appreciated.
Wouldn't mind a follow either