Summary

  • Watch live coverage on BBC Scotland

  • Middleton bends terrific strike into far corner on his first Utd start for deserved lead

  • Birighitti denies AZ striker Pavlidis with sprawling save late on

  • Sides meet again in the Netherlands next Thursday

Live Reporting

Nick McPheat

  1. 'It has been intriguing'

    HT: Dundee United 0-0 AZ Alkmaar

    Craig Easton
    Former Dundee Utd midfielder on BBC Sportsound

    Jack Ross will be in there saying you're as good as them. It's not been a classic but it has been intriguing, not a lot of goalmouth action. I've really enjoyed the midfield battle and in particular Craig Sibbald tonight.

  2. HT: Dundee Utd 0-0 AZ Alkmaar

    United fans, what did you make of that first-half performance?

    So far, so good? Or are you looking for more?

    Get on those thumbs...

  3. 'United midfield showing great composure'

    HT: Dundee Utd 0-0 AZ Alkmaar

    John Rankin
    Former Dundee Utd midfielder on BBC Scotland

    The United players have handled the occasion very well. They've not got caught up with the atmosphere. The composure in midfield has been great.

  4. 'Everything Jack Ross was looking for'

    HT: Dundee United 0-0 AZ Alkmaar

    Michael Stewart
    Former Hearts midfielder on BBC Scotland

    It was a good first half apart from the first five, 10 minutes when AZ looked really strong. It looked like Dundee United would have to be disciplined, hold their shape. After that, I thought Dundee United’s performance was everything Jack Ross would have been looking for.

  5. 'Great first half from Watt'

    HT: Dundee Utd 0-0 AZ Alkmaar

    Michael Stewart
    Former Hearts midfielder on BBC Scotland

    AZ looked really strong in the first five or 10 minutes. After that, United's performance has been everything Jack Ross will have wanted. Watt has had a great first half. They've kept the ball well.

  6. HALF-TIME: Dundee Utd 0-0 AZ Alkmaar

    No goals but a very impressive first 45 minutes from United against a stern opponent.

    AZ have shown their class on the ball but the hosts have stood up to the pressure and posed a threat of their own.

    United v AZSNS

  7. Dundee Utd 0-0 AZ Alkmaar

    Tony Watt is the man on the ball yet again as he's free down the left.

    He can't squeeze in a cross, though, and his follow-up attempt is straight into the arms of the keeper.

  8. Dundee Utd 0-0 AZ Alkmaar

    Tony Watt has been exceptional.

    Again the forward carries the ball forward and wins another foul moments later.

  9. United fansSNS
    United fansSNS

  10. Dundee Utd 0-0 AZ Alkmaar

    AZ starting to dominate the ball again as half-time nears.

    Feels like a crucial point in the game, this.

  11. Dundee Utd 0-0 AZ Alkmaar

    Good goalkeeping Mark Birighitti.

    A cross from the left by Kerkez is floated in at the back post and Lahdo is up to meet it.

    There isn't too much power on it but the United keeper is down to it well.

  12. Dundee Utd 0-0 AZ Alkmaar

    Ryan Edwards almost gets done with an awkward bounce but he recovers really well.

    Up United go as Liam Smith's cross is cleared out the AZ box. Big roar again from the Tannadice crowd.

  13. YELLOW CARD

    Dundee Utd 0-0 AZ Alkmaar

    Hmmm... Steven Fletcher jumps for the ball and his arm catches his marker.

    The referee races over and reaches for his pocket but it's just yellow. Right call.

  14. 'United starting to believe'

    Dundee United 0-0 AZ Alkmaar

    Craig Levein
    Former Scotland manager on BBC Sportsound

    The United players looked nervous at the start of the game but they've really settled down now and are really starting to believe. They are getting after the ball and putting pressure on the AZ Alkmaar players.

  15. Dundee Utd 0-0 AZ Alkmaar

    AZ winger Lahdo tries an ambitious strike off the right and it's... eh, not very good.

    Met with the classic: 'Wheyyyy!'

  16. Dundee Utd 0-0 AZ Alkmaar

    By the way, Jack Ross will be delighted with this first half hour from his side.

  17. 'AZ have a double threat'

    Dundee United 0-0 AZ Alkmaar

    Craig Levein
    Former Scotland manager on BBC Sportsound

    The AZ wide players have real pace. They play their passes in behind with such accuracy too.

  18. Dundee Utd 0-0 AZ Alkmaar

    Up the other end the United defence needs to be alert again as Kieran Freeman loses a challenge before Charlie Mulgrew diverts behind a dangerous cross.

    Tony Watt is back there to get the first head on the corner.

  19. Dundee Utd 0-0 AZ Alkmaar

    Free-kick won again by... guess who? Tony Watt.

    The forward capitalises on a poor touch and is brought down as he charges for the ball.

    Set-piece comes to nothing, however.

  20. Dundee United 0-0 AZ Alkmaar

    United can't forget the threat of AZ, though, as left-back Kerkez charges into the box but hits the deck and can't get a shot away.

    No appeals for a penalty. Nothing in it.