Van Gaal is pleased to face Volendam

AZ Alkmaar coach Louis van Gaal is pleased his side’s first Eredivisie game after the winter break is away to struggling FC Volendam.

“We are lucky that it is our first match after the winter break,” he said. “We had the chance to prepare well for a different pitch than we are used to.

“I don’t expect we will have a disadvantage playing on artificial grass and my team seems eager to start the competition again. But if the result against Volendam is not good people will tell different stories.