Enzo Le Fée Shines in Match-Winning Performance Against AZ
Enzo Le Fée turned a nightmare start into a match-winning performance as his side edged past AZ, with the Frenchman running the show after gifting the visitors an early chance.
Roefs and the back line stand tall
Before Le Fée could redeem himself, Robin Roefs had work to do. Serious work. AZ carved out clear openings inside the box, and twice the goalkeeper bailed his team out – first with a sharp save with his foot in a one-on-one, then late on when he threw himself into a six-yard-box scramble and smothered the danger. An 8/10 night built on big moments, not volume.
Ahead of him, Nordi Mukiele tore up and down his flank. He caused chaos in the first half, constantly driving forward and pinning AZ back. After the break he nearly capped it with a goal, glancing a header just wide. Another 8/10, full-throttle display.
Kevin Danso matched that level in the heart of defence. He read the game superbly, stepping in with blocks and clearances whenever AZ sniffed space around the box. He almost turned Xhaka’s wayward effort into a clever headed goal, redirecting it just wide, then stung the goalkeeper’s hands with a fierce strike from distance. A commanding 8/10.
Omar Alderete’s night ended early, but while he was on, he was aggressive and composed. Strong in the tackle, neat under pressure, he repeatedly turned out of the press to reset play. An apparent first-half injury forced him off, capping him at a 7/10.
On the left, Reinildo spent most of the game forced backwards. AZ overloaded his side, limiting his chance to surge on, yet he locked down his channel well. Solid, disciplined, 7/10.
Xhaka sets the tone, Le Fée takes over
Granit Xhaka dictated the first half. Sitting deep, he sprayed passes over and through the AZ press, setting the tempo and giving his side a platform. After the interval, the picture changed. AZ pushed higher, zipped the ball around him with sharp movement, and his influence waned. Still, his opening 45 minutes justified a 7/10.
Noah Sadiki had one of those jobs that rarely grabs headlines but wins respect in the dressing room. AZ’s movement asked constant questions, yet he covered huge distances, nicking the ball back and plugging gaps. A tireless 7/10.
Trai Hume’s night was defined by flashes rather than consistency. He curled one effort just wide before half-time, then twice went close in quick succession after the break – first denied by the goalkeeper’s legs, then heading over from the ensuing corner. Outside those moments, he drifted from the game. A 6/10 built on chances not taken.
Then came Enzo Le Fée’s arc. He started by almost gifting AZ the opener with a sloppy pass straight into trouble. From there, he caught fire. He struck the post after a sharp move with Wilson Isidor, then burst in behind from a Mukiele ball and forced another save. His passing range tormented AZ’s back line: delicate balls over the top for Brian Brobbey and Isidor, both of whom failed to cash in. When the decisive moment arrived, he earned the penalty himself and buried it. A 9/10, the clear Man of the Match.
Malick Fofana showed quality on the ball but too often received it in crowded, deep areas. His influence never quite stretched into the danger zone. A 6/10.
Isidor, by contrast, stretched AZ constantly. He ran the channels, linked well with Le Fée and created one of the game’s best chances, spinning in behind and cutting back for Le Fée to hit the post. He later smashed a decent opening wide after a clever flick from the Frenchman. His work rate and movement merited a 7/10.
Bench helps lock it down
Dan Ballard stepped in for the injured Alderete and immediately brought clarity. He attacked everything around the box, throwing himself into blocks and helping his side see the game out under late pressure. A strong 7/10 cameo.
Thomas Meunier’s role shifted as the game wore on. He replaced Hume, then dropped to right-back once Danso departed, handling both tasks efficiently. Not spectacular, but reliable: 6/10.
Nilson Angulo injected energy down the left, driving at his man and looking to commit defenders. His decision-making let him down, though, and he squandered a golden chance in stoppage time from a rebound that simply had to be finished. A frustrating 6/10.
Brobbey arrived late and had little service until stoppage time, when the game suddenly opened up for him. He almost combined brilliantly with Le Fée on a one-two around the box, only for a defender to intervene and concede a corner. Then, charging from halfway with the goal beckoning, he chose to square across the six-yard box instead of pulling the trigger. Another 6/10, defined by hesitation at the key moment.
Teenager Chris Rigg added bite. He snapped at AZ heels, won the ball back and threaded smart passes into Brobbey. A tidy, energetic 6/10.
In the end, the night belonged to Le Fée. From near-disaster to match-winner, he stitched together everything good his team produced and held his nerve from the spot. Performances like this don’t just win games; they reshape seasons.
