When Pascal Jansen was installed as interim boss at AZ Alkmaar in December 2020 after Arne Slots dismissal, not many knew what to expect from the former Jong PSV boss.
Jansen finished the season well with AZ before it was cancelled due to Covid, with him being rewarded a new contract as a result.
Though they were knocked out of the Europa Conference League by Norwegian side FK Bodø/Glimt in the round of 16, Jansen has the Alkmaar-based side sitting in fifth place in the Eredivisie, six points behind former manager Arne Slot’s Feyenoord side.
This successful season from AZ is despite losing key players in last summer’s transfer window.
Both Myron Boadu and Calvin Stengs moved to France, joining AS Monaco and OGC Nice, respectively.
Club captain Teun Koopmeiners was also sold, joining Serie A side Atalanta.
Last seasons starting goalkeeper, Marco Bizot, was also sold, joining French side Stade Brestois.
They recruited well in the summer and put their trust in Jansen, and he has repaid them.
The club look destined to qualify for Europe again next season, where they will hope to progress further.
This tactical analysis will examine Pascal Jansens style of play and some of the tactics he has employed to great success so far this season.
Pascal Jansen Tactics Creating space in the wide channels in the final third
When it comes to attacking sequences for AZ Alkmaar under Pascal Jansens tactics this season, there has been a heavy emphasis on utilising wide play in the final third, with crosses into the box being the typical end result.
So far this season, AZ have attempted the third most crosses in the league with 509 while averaging 16.29 per 90 minutes.
The most important statistical figure, however, is the accuracy of these crosses.
40.9% of the attempted crosses from AZ have been successful, the best in the Eredivisie.
This section will examine these attacking sequences and illustrate the AZ players off-the-ball movements to create space in the wide channels.
This attacking phase above from AZ’s recent match against FC Twente shows an example of utilising the off-the-ball runners to create space for crossing opportunities.
In the image above, Håkon Evjen is making an underlapping run inside of fullback Yukinari Sugawara.
This run attracts the attention of both the Twente fullb
