AZ Alkmaar Edge Tottenham 1-0 in Europa League
AZ Alkmaar Edge Tottenham 1-0 in Europa League
Blog Article
On March 6, 2025, Tottenham Hotspur suffered a 1-0 loss by AZ Alkmaar in the first leg of their UEFA Europa League Round of 16 tie at AFAS Stadion. The defeat left Spurs with a challenging second leg at home, as they need to overturn a one-goal deficit to stay alive in the Europa League.
Match Overview:
The match was decided by an unfortunate own goal from Tottenham’s Lucas Bergvall in the 18th minute. A cross from Alkmaar’s Jordy Clasie deflected off Bergvall and slipped past Spurs goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario, giving the home side a narrow 1-0 advantage. This early setback left Spurs finding it difficult to regain composure and get into their usual flow.Despite having dominance in possession, Tottenham were unable to make use of their possession. Their attacks were disjointed, with only one shot on target throughout the match. Key players, including Son Heung-Min, James Maddison, and Brennan Johnson, were unable to create chances, and Spurs were largely ineffective in the final third.
Key Moments:
Spurs’ frustration was palpable as they failed to break down Alkmaar’s defense. In the second half, Tottenham pressed higher, but their final ball was often lacking, and they couldn’t find the key to unlock Alkmaar’s defense. In the dying minutes, James Maddison had a chance to equalize, but his powerful shot was saved by Alkmaar’s goalkeeper Kjell Scherpen, who produced a crucial stop to preserve the lead.สเปอร์ส บุกพ่าย อาแซด อัลค์มาร์ 0-1 ยูโรปาลีก นัดแรก
Post-Match Reaction:
Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou was disappointed with his team’s performance, admitting that the loss was "a tough night overall." He stated that Spurs were far from the level required and acknowledged that his team had failed to show the required intensity."We lacked sharpness and urgency in our play," Postecoglou said. "It’s a tough one to take, but we still have a chance at home in the second leg."
Looking Ahead:
The tie is far from over, and Tottenham will need to step up their game when they host AZ Alkmaar at their home ground for the second leg. With the one-goal deficit and few opportunities, Spurs will need to find their attacking rhythm to progress to the quarter-finals.AZ Alkmaar will remain confident after securing the narrow advantage, but they will need to stay focused when they head to London. With the 1-0 lead, the Dutch side has an edge in the tie, but they will know that Spurs are capable of overturning the deficit at home.
Tottenham fans will be hoping for a strong response in the second leg as their team fights for a place in the quarter-finals. Report this page