“We have a pretty privileged life in football,” said AZ coach Pascal Jansen philosophically. “On trips like this, you have to be aware of where you are.”

For the fifth game in the group stage of the Conference League, AZ have settled in Vaduz, the capital of the small state of Liechtenstein. Between the peaks of the Alps, the people of Alkmaar hope to wash away the anger of the past ten days and secure European wintering.

“Nice surroundings,” judges Jansen. “Even very special, at such a four-country point. That you end up in Germany and then drive to the hotel in Austria. Then crossed the Swiss border and disembarked in Liechtenstein.

AZ are still in good form in Europe but their confidence is shattered after three consecutive defeats. A series that began in Cyprus, where AZ unexpectedly lost to Apollon Limassol (0-1).

This was followed by defeats in the Eredivisie against Feyenoord (1:3) and Excelsior (2:1). Three defeats, three stories. “In Limassol you can speak of a snapshot with a corner,” says Jansen. “We weren’t top quality on the ball, but you also have these games and it’s important not to get hurt.”

“Feyenoord were certainly better in the first half but they will rest at 1-1. Then you concede a goal that we can’t beat. And Feyenoord also have a great selection with excellent players.”

Jansen could be brief about last Sunday’s Zeperd. “That first half against Excelsior was unacceptable. A few things are evident in our DNA: hard work is the basis. If you look at this game, you can just see that we didn’t work that hard.”

Captain Jordy Clasie agrees with his coach’s words. “We talked to each other. And we looked at pictures with the coaches. There were a few moments last Sunday when we just weren’t ourselves.”

For Clasie it’s all about “quality on the ball”. Accuracy, passing the right leg and choosing the right moment to attack. We played good football, attractive, self-confident. That has to come back.”

AZ are sure to hibernate with a win over Vaduz. A draw is enough even if Apollon Limassol doesn’t win against SK Dnipro.

Is FC Vaduz, number nine in the Swiss second division club, an ideal opponent? Things didn’t go well in Alkmaar before, even if the result (4:1) suggests otherwise. AZ won 4-1, but it was 1-1 until the 81st minute.

“It’s part of football,” says Jansen. “These are phases in the season that you can deal with. As a coach and team, you strive to keep these phases as short as possible. Every game after disappointment is an opportunity to turn the tide. Whatever the competition or circumstances, it doesn’t matter. That is the goal for tomorrow.”