AZ Alkmaar host Juventus in Europa League on Thursday, 5 November, with McKennie out

Form going into the trip

Juventus fly to the Netherlands for matchday four of the Europa League League Phase. The game is set for Thursday, 5 November 2026 at 21:00 at the Afas Stadion in Alkmaar. Spalletti's side arrive after a 2-0 win over Napoli in Serie A, and the coach said that result gave the squad more confidence.

“We are confident because an important response came straight away, without thinking about what to do, but how we have to do it.”

In Europe, Juventus have won their opening two league-phase games, against NEC and Celta Vigo, and drew 2-2 at home to Rennes. That gives them 7 points after three rounds. AZ have 6 points from three games, a defeat at Sunderland followed by wins over Hapoel Beer-Sheva and Ararat-Armenia.

Absences and probable line-ups

Weston McKennie is not in the squad for the trip to Alkmaar. ANSA reports a muscle strain picked up in the last Serie A match against Napoli, while La Repubblica calls his absence precautionary. Ekhator is in the squad for the first time in the Europa League, replacing the injured Locatelli.

“Losing players of the calibre of McKennie always costs something to the team's response.”

La Repubblica lists further unavailable players for Juventus: Yildiz, Locatelli, Thuram, Conceicao, Nico Gonzalez and Celik. Spalletti said Sarr and Kelly would start, and that Kolo Muani would probably start too, since he was spared the final 30 minutes against Napoli. The sources differ on the shape. Adnkronos lists AZ in a 4-2-3-1 and Juventus in a 3-5-2 with Boga and Woltemade up front. La Repubblica projects AZ in a 4-3-3 with Kovacs as striker, and Juventus in a 3-4-1-2 with Alajbegovic behind Woltemade and Kolo Muani.

Standings and the qualification target

Juventus sit seventh on 7 points after three matchdays, according to La Stampa. Olympiakos lead on 10 points with one more match played, while Benfica, Leverkusen, Bournemouth and Ferencváros have 9 points each.

Olympiakos (one extra match)10

Benfica9

Leverkusen9

Bournemouth9

Ferencváros9

Juventus7

AZ Alkmaar6

Olympiakos (one extra match)

10 points

Benfica

9 points

Leverkusen

9 points

Bournemouth

9 points

Ferencváros

9 points

Juventus

7 points

AZ Alkmaar

6 points

Data from the article text

La Stampa cites statistical projections that the direct-qualification mark sits between 16 and 17 points. Juventus therefore need 9 or 10 more points from their five remaining league-phase games to secure a top-eight place and avoid the winter playoffs. Fanpage notes the next home date against Omonia Nicosia on 26 November, and La Stampa adds the January fixtures against Ferencváros and Real Sociedad.

Officials and broadcast

La Repubblica names Sylwestrzak from Poland as referee, assisted by Karasewicz-Heining, with Kuzma as fourth official and Lasyk-Kwiatkowski on VAR. Sky holds the Italian broadcast rights, with the match shown on Sky Sport Uno (channel 201) and Sky Sport (channel 252) for subscribers. Streaming is available on the SkyGo app and NOW. AZ are coached by Echteld, who is preparing his side for a Thursday evening game against a Juventus team still searching for its best form in Serie A.