Beat AZ this season. It really can. Apollon Limasol proved it yesterday in the Conference League. Coach Pascal Jansen saw his team lose 1-0 in Cyprus. A bad general ahead of this weekend’s crucial Eredivisie game against Feyenoord.

That the Alkmaarders lost to Apollon can be described as a surprise. “We figured it out sloppily and just couldn’t turn it back afterwards,” replies Jansen. “We didn’t do enough offensively.”

“Our quality is that in the event of a setback we stick to our plan and remain calm,” continued Jansen. “Yesterday it didn’t work because there was a lack of finesse in the last phase of an attack.”

A painful defeat, but Jansen thinks AZ shouldn’t think about it for long. “We use the 24-hour rule here.” That means you only have 24 hours to enjoy or mourn after the race, explains Jansen. With nine points from four games, AZ continue to lead the table.

The focus shifts quickly. Feyenoord, number four in the Eredivisie, visits Alkmaar on Sunday afternoon (4.45 p.m.). “It is important that we recover today. From tomorrow the focus will be on Feyenoord,” says Jansen. “It promises to be a great match.”

AZ is the undefeated leader in the competition. Below that, Jansen remains sober. “It’s great, next Sunday it’s our job to keep it that way for a while. We know what we want and how to achieve it.”

“Despite yesterday’s defeat, our boys are looking forward to delivering another performance. It’s fantastic to work with these guys,” said Jansen.