Van Gaal: this period will make us stronger!

Tonight AZ meets the Russian Zenit Petersburg in the UEFA cup. A battle between two Dutch former team managers and former team mates. But also a battle between two clubs with similar ambitions: attacking the powers that be in their respective countries.

Dick Advocaat is convinced Van Gaal will make AZ champions of Holland. Maybe not this season, than certainly the next. “As long as the club keeps this group together and this trainer on board.”

The former PSV coach, who follows the Dutch competition from his new home in Northern Russia, is about to write history with his club.

Advocaat is aware AZ is struggling in the competition. “AZ wants to become one of the top clubs in Holland. That is a tough process. You need to finish in the top-3 for some seasons in a row and win the championship. Last year, they almost did and they played great football.”

Advocaat is in the same position now. His team is lauded for their playing style, but it seems the title may be just a tad to much to ask.

But, other than in Holland, Advocaat is almost a saint in Russia. His fans love him and after press-conferences he always gets a huge applause.

AZ chairman Dirk Scheringa does see one big difference. “The big difference is the scope of the city. Our home city has 100.000 people. St Petersburg has 5.5. million inhabitants.”

Scheringa does not get nervous now AZ is in troubled water. “No, I don’t lose sleep. This is part of the process.”
Winning against Zenit would mean a lot for AZ’s confidence. Van Gaal: “But it will be tough. Zenit is a strong team. One of the best I have seen play in the UEDA cup in the last seasons.”

The Russian press want to know if it’s true that Van Gaal and Advocaat played together at Sparta Rotterdam. Van Gaal smiles: “Yes, we played together for two seasons. I was the one with the brains. Dickie had the lungs. I played central in midfield and Dickie used to run all over the place. But, trainers rather worked with Dick than with me…”