We are into two minutes of added on time here at the AFAS Stadion. I don't think even 20 minutes would be enough to see either side conjure up a second goal.
88'
Johannsson juggles the ball down the right flank but his cutback to Ortiz is well read and the chance is gone. There weren't many choices for the striker there as AZ aren't committing many forward. They're happy with the 1-0.
86'
I. Abdulavov enters the game and replaces A. Bukharov.
One final change for Anzhi. Bukharov is off and on for the last few minutes is striker Abdulavov.
84'
Both sides are now struggling to keep hold of possession. Anzhi are desparate to get the ball forward at any given opportunity. AZ are just happy to see the ball in the oppositions' half.
82'
Free kick for Anzhi in a wide position after a foul on Burmistrov. The substitute went down fairly easily but the referee obviously didn't take too much convincing.
80'
Roy Beerens cuts in off the flank and has a pop at goal for AZ, but he gets it horribly wrong and the ball sails harmlessly out for a goal kick. We're into the final 10 minutes now.
78'
AZ are just beginning to turn the screw now. Johannsson breaks into the area but scuffs his effort and Kerzhakov is able to hold it. Anzhi now have to be careful not to concede a second.
76'
Gudelj finds a pocket of space on the left but he can't reach the ball before it goes out of play. He would've had a lot of time to pick out a cross had he got there.
74'
A. Epureanu gets yellow.
Another player in the book for Anzhi as a tired looking tackle from Angbwa is met with a yellow card.
73'
Anzhi are beginning to tire a bit here and AZ can sense it. They've started closing down that little bit quicker as they look to force their opponents into a mistake late on that could have a huge impact on the tie.
Minute
Description
71'
S. Serderov enters the game and replaces O. Aliiev.
This substitution can only be through tiredness. Aliyev, who has easily been Anzhi's most productive player, is taken off with just under 20 minutes to go. On comes Serderov in his place.
69'
The chances have dried up in this second half and you just get the feeling that Anzhi may be running out of ideas. They've thrown everything at Esteban's goal but still they trail.
67'
The referee produces a yellow card once more, this time for Anzhi's Odil Akhemedov. That caution sees him miss the second leg in Russia.
66'
O. Akhmedov gets yellow.
65'
The game has hit a bit of a lull as both sides decide whether to stick or twist. Anzhi could really do with an away goal but a two-goal deficit might prove tricky to overturn in the second-leg. AZ seem pretty content to just be ahead.
63'
Nemanja Gudelj is penalised for a foul in the midfield. The AZ man has failed to help his side control the middle of the park this evening, not the best of displays from him.
60'
Aliyev does indeed take free kick duties once more, but this one is a little disappointing really as it slams into the AZ wall. Just half an hour left in this one.
58'
J. Wuytens gets yellow.
Substitute Wuytens is in the book for a foul on Bukharov. It gives Anzhi another free kick in a shooting position. Step up Aliyev...
56'
Watching them just now, it's perhaps becoming clear why Anzhi are sitting bottom of the Russian league. They've had plenty of possession and have made a string of chances, but they haven't been able to take them. Throw in a bunch of silly mistakes and you can see why the side are in trouble.
54'
Aliyev is running the show for Anzhi! He turns the AZ defence inside out and lofts a beautiful cross to the back post. It's perfect for Burmistrov to meet with his head but he can't find a way past Esteban.
52'
It's been a promising start from the Russians and they are establishing themselves again as the more potent threat in this game. They've still to get themselves on the scoresheet though, and ultimately, that's all that matters.
50'
This man has some boot on him! Aliyev lines up from range again, this time the ball whistles just past Esteban's left-hand post. He's getting closer and AZ won't want to give him too many more invitations to shoot.
48'
An early chance for Anzhi as they instantly go in search of that equaliser. Aliyev races clear on the right but he decides to shoot when he gets into the area and smashes his effort into the side netting. He had other options.
46'
J. Wuytens enters the game and replaces S. Poulsen.
N. Burmistrov enters the game and replaces Ewerton.
Away we go then. Wuytens does indeed enter the fray, as Simon Poulsen makes way. Anzhi also make a change as Ewerton comes off to be replaced by Burmistrov.
45' +1
We are into the two minutes of stoppage time at the end of the half added on by the referee.
44'
Just a minute to go until the break. AZ have found a bit more fuel in the tank and are taking the game to their Russian opponents in the final few seconds here.
42'
What do Anzhi have to do to score? Bukharov is played into the box and his shot looks for all the world to have beaten Esteban this time. but the keepers left boot denies the forward at the last second - the ball flying behind for another Anzhi corner.
40'
WHAT AN EFFORT!!! Esteban is beaten all ends up by Aliyev's thunderous free kick from 35-yard out, but the ball comes crashing back off the crossbar and away to safety.
38'
AZ haven't looked too concerned with building on their lead. They've rarely had the upper hand in this tie and seem to have stumbled upon the lead by good fortune more than anything else. They've got another dangerous free kick to defend here too.
36'
Anzhi have been working hard to get themselves back into this but they haven't sniffed out that golden opportunity since falling behind. Aliyev and Bukharov are still looking dangerous though, and they have something to work with now Gouweleeuw has picked up a booking.
34'
J. Gouweleeuw gets yellow.
Another lapse in concentration from Gouweleeuw sees him give away a free kick out on the right. He's booked and will now miss the second leg in Russia.
33'
A heart-in-mouth moment for Gouweleeuw! The defender makes a complete hash of a clearance and ends up sending the ball spinning towards his own goal. Luckily for the AZ man it clears his own crossbar and goes behind for a corner.
31'
First blood to the Advocaat's men then. On the balance of play, you'd argue they don't really deserve it. But that's what happens when chances aren't taken.
29'
Penalty goal scored by A. Jóhannsson for AZ!
GOOAAALLL!!! JOHANNSSON SCORES!!! But only just, mind! Kerzhakov gets a big hand to the AZ striker's weak penalty, but he can't prevent the ball from spinning into the net.
28'
Penalty for AZ! Ali Gadzhibekov is penalised for handling Gouweleeuw's header and Johannsson has the chance from the spot.
26'
A big chance for Bukharov! Eschenko nips in behind the AZ backline and his cutback is aimed at the forward. He gets there ahead of Esteban but he can't get his effort on target.
24'
J. Guðmundsson enters the game and replaces S. Berghuis.
Berghuis hans't been able to shake off that injury picked up in that challenge with Eschenko. He leaves the field and is replaced by Gudmundsson.
22'
The free kick is wasted by Ortiz, as he fires straight into the wall. That was a real chance to test Kerzhakov. As it is, the Anzhi keeper has yet to be forced into action.
20'
Ewerton gets yellow.
Ewerton gives away a needless foul on the edge of the area. He's booked for it, and the Dick Advocaat's men now have the chance to test Mikhail Kerzhakov.
19'
Berghuis is in the wars again after a challenge with Eschenko. It looked a like a 50/50, but the AZ man has come away worse and needs a bit of treatment after taking a knock to the shin.
17'
It was a neat move from Anzhi, with Bukharov and Aliyev also involved. The replays suggest the ball was clearly over the line. There weren't too many protests from the Russian side but they'll feel aggrieved once they see the footage for themselves.
15'
Surely that has crossed the line?! Smolov's header is batted off of the line by Esteban but the keeper is well behind his own goalline when he clears the ball. The officials convene but no goal is given!
13'
Berghuis takes the set piece himself and the testing delivery has to be skewed behind by Angbwa for a corner. This time around, the cross from Berguis is fully dealt with by the visitors' defence.
11'
Steven Berghuis is brought down on the right-hand side of the box and AZ have the chance to deliver a dangerous cross into the Anzhi box.
9'
Aron Johannsson fires the first effort on goal but it takes a deflection off of Eschenko which takes any sting out of the shot. That's better from the home side after a tepid start to the match.
7'
These sides actually met in last season's competition. in the play-off stages. Anzhi triumphed 6-0 over two legs. I can't see a repeat of that in the last 16 this year though.
5'
Elm looks to put AZ's first attack of the evening in motion but a poor cross is easily cleared by the Russian side. They almost turn it into a swift counter-attack, but a poor pass from Smolov sees the chance break down.
3'
Anzhi are controlling much of the early action here. Long balls up top are flung in the direction of Bukharov, but a lack of support prevents the visitors from creating a serious chance.
1'
The referee blows his whistle for the first time this evening and Anzhi get us underway!
Good evening and welcome to coverage of the last 16 Europa League tie between AZ Alkmaar and Anzhi Makhachkala. I'm Harry Slavin and I'll be here to take you through all tonight's action.
It has been a hard-hitting fall from grace for Anzhi after their vast wealth dried up. A club that could once attract the likes of Samuel Eto'o and Lassana Diarra now finds itself rooted to the bottom of the Russian top flight. They squeezed through a tough group alongside Tottenham Hotspur and will be looking to continue their unlikely run with a decent result this evening.
Their hosts for this evening, AZ, are in a slightly less precarious position, but they too are still a long way off the standards of their recent glory days. The 2009 Eredivisie champions are well off the pace this year, currently lying in seventh. Like their Russian opponents, porgression to the last eight would provide a much needed boost to their season.
We have just around 15 minutes to go until kick off at the AFAS Stadion, so let's take a look at how each side line up this evening. We'll start with the hosts.
AZ ALKMAAR: (4-3-2-1) Esteban; Johansson, Gouweleeuw, Viergever, S. Poulsen; Gudelj, Ortiz, Elm; Berghuis, Beerens; Johannsson.
The sides are in the tunnel in Alkmaar. The crowd is pretty sparse and you wonder if the lack of an atmosphere might just help the visitors.
The handshakes are done and dusted, as is the coin toss. We are about to get underway in the Netherlands!
HALF-TIME AZ 1-0 ANZHI. Just the one goal separates these sides at the break but the visitors will be left wondering how they're trailing. They've pelted the woodwork and been victims of a questionable goalline call but they're behind courtesy of Johannsson's penalty and have a bit of work to do if they want back into this tie.
AZ have hit the front in this last 16 tie, and perhaps going on history we should have expected it. The Dutch outfit have reached this stage on three previous occasions. They've progressed to the quarter finals each time.
The teams are back out at the AFAS Stadion. It looks as though AZ are making another change as Jan Wuytens has spent most of the break warming up on the pitch.
FULL-TIME AZ 1-0 ANZHI. Johannsson's first half penalty was enough to see the home side secure an important win at home. Even more crucial may be the cleansheet Esteban was able to preserve despite a strong of golden chances for the visitors.
The second-leg is just a week away then and there is still plenty to play for in this one. AZ's record in Russia isn't the greatest, and Anzhi will be hoping to capitalise on that.
That's it from me, Harry Slavin. Thanks for tuning in this evening and be sure to join us again for next week's second-legs. Until then, it's goodbye for now!
Commentary
More…