Leeroy Echteld clear after Feyenoord - AZ: 'I don't want to talk about that'

Feyenoord beat AZ 2-0 on Saturday evening in the VriendenLoterij Eredivisie. Afterwards, much of the talk centred on the penalty incident for the Alkmaar side, when Mexx Meerdink may or may not have been caught by Feyenoord goalkeeper Tjark Ernst. AZ coach Leeroy Echteld did not want to get into it, though.

AZ's excellent start to the season came to an end at Feyenoord on Saturday. Goals from Nacho Ferri and Javi López sealed a 2-0 win for the Rotterdam side.

“I can see from the statistics that they created bigger chances than we did, while we had more possession,” Echteld told ESPN afterwards.

“We did get a few opportunities, especially towards the end, but then the ball just doesn’t quite fall kindly, or the coordination is just not quite right. Or we are just a bit too restless in that final phase, which means we do not create big chances. I think that is partly a matter of maturity.”

Despite a poor start, Echteld felt AZ grew into the match. “After 15 to 20 minutes we recovered and then we worked our way back into the game. It’s just that then you go and concede another goal, and that is a shame at that moment.”

Just before half-time, AZ looked set to win a penalty after Ernst was said to have brought down Meerdink. However, referee Danny Makkelie was called to the screen by the VAR and overturned his decision after reviewing the images: no penalty.

“I just said it as well to the people from NOS and NH: I actually do not want to talk about that,” Meerdink said. “That penalty was not given. I would rather look at why we were unable to play our game today. Especially at the start. That is much more important to me right now.”

“The fact that we did not get that penalty... Decisions are always made that may not go in your favour. Of course, we also have a VAR, and people take another look at it. But I think they make that decision with a clear conscience.”