Emery respects AZ approach

Valencia boss Unai Emery has lavished praise on Europa League quarter-final opponents AZ Alkmaar ahead of Thursday’s first leg.

Emery’s side have been given a second successive opponent from the Netherlands in the competition following their triumph over PSV in the round of 16.

But the Spanish coach, whose side have lost consecutive matches in La Liga, admits he is a bigger fan of AZ due to their traditional Dutch approach.

“AZ, like PSV, play a typical Dutch style,” said Emery at a press conference. “However, I prefer AZ because they concede less away goals, while their attack is powerful.

“Jozy Altidore is dangerous, I know him from when he played in the past with Villarreal.

“The fact that they knocked out Udinese says it all. Since the arrival of Louis van Gaal in 2005, the club have made great leaps to get to the top.”

The first-leg clash takes place at AFAS Stadion in Alkmaar.