Player Analysis: Teun Koopmeiners

Arne Slot's AZ Alkmaar grabbed the attention of European football fanatics last season, finishing second in the Eredivisie (tied on points with Ajax), advancing to the Europa League knockout round, and boasting an expansive style of football. The 'Cheeseheads' boast a wide range of talents that have ascended from the academy to the first team such as Myron Boadu, Calvin Stengs and Owen Wijndal, as well as their captain Teun Koopmeiners.

Born in the northwestern town of Castricrum on February 28, 1998, Koopmeiners began his career at local club Vitesse '22 before joining AZ Alkmaar's academy at the age of 11. He progressed through the ranks of AZ's youth system and made his first team debut on October 1, 2017, coming on as a substitute in a 4-0 loss to Feyenoord.

It didn't take long for Koopmeiners to become a starter, playing on the left side of midfield of manager John van den Brom's 4-3-3, as AZ finished 3rd in the league and lost to Feyenoord in the KNVB Cup Final. He continued his impressive form the following season, this time as the left-sided center back, typically playing alongside Ron Vlaar in the heart of defense. AZ finished 4th in the league and were eliminated in the KNVB Cup semifinals to Willem II.

Today, Koopmeiners is the orchestrator of AZ's build-up play, playing on the left side of the midfield pivot in Slot's 4-2-3-1, whilst occasionally deputizing in central defense. Off the ball, AZ typically defend in a 4-4-2, as seen in this example against Napoli where Stengs joins Dani De Wit up top in order to block Fabián Ruiz's passing angle.