Bizarre Romero injury blow for AZ

Eredivisie leaders AZ Alkmaar could be without goalkeeper Sergio Romero for the title run-in after he broke his hand in a bizarre incident following Thursday's 2-1 Dutch Cup quarter-final defeat by NAC Breda

Surgery
Having allowed a long shot from Nourdin Boukhari slip through his fingers, Romero vented his frustrations in the dressing room after the match, punching a door and the wall and breaking bones in his hand in the process. After undergoing surgery on Friday, he will be out of action for six to eight weeks.

'Not smart'
AZ coach Louis van Gaal said: "That is the Argentinian temperament. It was not smart of him to handle his frustrations that way. I think he is out for the rest of the season, so he has hurt the club and the team. However, I am concerned for him as a human being and not just as a footballer. His anger was not about the defeat or our cup exit but because his blunder had such an influence. He cried afterwards and apologised to me." Joey Didulica is expected to deputise in Romero's absence, with AZ nine points clear of second-placed FC Twente with as many games remaining.