Europa League Draw: AZ Alkmaar Awaits Fate Against Struggling Premier League Sides

The UEFA Europa League round of 16 draw will pair AZ Alkmaar with either struggling Premier League sides Manchester United or Tottenham Hotspur.

AZ has secured a spot in the UEFA Europa League round of 16, and the Dutch side will now travel to England to face a struggling Premier League team. AZ's European campaign has been impressive so far, with a 4-1 win over Galatasaray in Alkmaar and a 2-2 draw in Istanbul.

In the round of 16, AZ will face either Manchester United or Tottenham Hotspur. This will be AZ's first appearance in the UEFA Europa League round of 16 since the 2013/14 season. The team has previous experience against both potential opponents, with their most recent encounter being a narrow 1-0 loss to Tottenham Hotspur at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium earlier this season.

AZ's history against Manchester United is limited to two matches during the 2019/20 Europa League season. The teams drew 0-0 in Alkmaar, but Manchester United dominated the return leg, winning 4-0 at Old Trafford in December 2019.

Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United have endured disappointing Premier League campaigns, with both teams currently sitting in the bottom half of the table. Despite their domestic struggles, both sides have performed admirably in the Europa League, finishing in the top four of their respective league phase groups.

The stage is now set for the UEFA Europa League round of 16 draw, which will take place this Friday, February 21st, at 13:00 CET in Nyon, Switzerland. AZ will be eagerly awaiting the outcome, knowing they will face either Tottenham Hotspur or Manchester United in the next round.