Tottenham Hotspur have plenty of work to do in the second leg of the Europa League round of 16 after sleepwalking their way to a 1-0 defeat away to Dutch side AZ Alkmaar on Thursday.
MORE - UEFA Europa League schedule
Lucas Bergvall scored the game’s only goal — a looping own goal off his shin — inside the opening 20 minutes, and the deficit would have been even greater, perhaps insurmountable, if not for a valiant display by Guglielmo Vicario in goal. Alkmaar had whatever they wanted racing up and down the left flank, the right side of Spurs’ defense, each and every time they recovered the ball.
Meanwhile, Spurs found it nearly impossible to play their way out of defense with Kevin Danso and Archie Gray at center back, and the Alkmaar press relentlessly harrying their every move. Star center backs Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero watched on from the bench, back in the team for the first time in weeks and months, respectively, unable to help the side that has missed them so dearly more often than not this season.
Despite bringing on Wilson Odobert at halftime, and Dominic Solanke and Pedro Porro with 20 minutes left to play, Spurs had just four shots in the second half (three from outside the box and one header nowhere near the goal), including zero from the 52nd to 88th minute. Odobert’s shot in the 88th, which was a wayward cross at best and a misguided shot at worst, was Spurs’ only effort on target all night. Solanke, who returned after nearly two months out injured, was subbed out and barely able to walk off the field in stoppage time after taking a knee to the back.
In a season full of dismal displays that at least showed bravery and desperation, this will go down as one of the very worst for everything riding on Ange Postecoglou’s side winning the (very winnable) Europa League.
Player ratings - AZ Alkmaar vs Tottenham Hotspur
What’s next?
- Tottenham Hotspur vs Bournemouth — Sunday, 10 am ET (Premier League)
- Ajax vs AZ Alkmaar — Sunday, 11:45 am ET (Eredivisie)
- Tottenham Hotspur vs AZ Alkmaar — Thursday, 4 pm ET (Second leg)
AZ Alkmaar vs Tottenham Hotspur live updates - by Andy Edwards
AZ Alkmaar vs Tottenham Hotspur final score: 1-0
Goalscorers: Lucas Bergvall (18' - OG)
OWN GOAL! AZ Alkmaar 1-0 Spurs: Bergvall shins one past Vicario (18')
It's a nightmare own goal for Lucas Bergvall who gifts AZ Alkmaar the lead 😳 pic.twitter.com/SquFnnrzmq
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) March 6, 2025
Far from an ideal start for Spurs, who are constantly being beaten down the right side of their defense and can hardly work their way into Alkmaar’s defensive third thus far.
AZ Alkmaar lineup
Owusu-Oduro - Maikuma, Goes, Penetra, Moller Wolfe - Clasie, Buurmeester, Koopmeiners - Poku, Parrott, Lahdo
Tottenham Hotspur lineup
Vicario - Spence, Danso, Gray, Udogie - Bergvall, Bentancur, Maddison - Son, Tel, Johnson
How to watch AZ Alkmaar vs Tottenham Hotspur live, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 12:45pm ET Thursday (March 6)
Venue: AFAS Stadion — Alkmaar
TV/Streaming: Paramount+
AZ Alkmaar team news, focus
Parrott has scored 12 goals in all competitions and is AZ’s leading goalscorer, with the former Spurs striker really good at timing his runs into the box and delivering a calm finish. Jordy Clasie is so experienced and keeps things ticking over very nicely in central midfield, while Peer Koopmeiners is a rising star alongside Clasie. Captain and center back Bruno Martins Indi is a key player in defense for AZ as they have a great balance of youth and experience.
Tottenham Hotspur team news, focus
Defensive injuries remain for Spurs but things have calmed down in recent weeks as they have been able to rotate and get close to their best starting lineup. It will be intriguing to see how Ange lines up Spurs in midfield with Bergvall and Maddison perhaps starting on the bench with Sarr and Bentancur starting in a more defensive midfield. Dejan Kulusevski looks set to be out with a foot injury, which is a blow, but it isn’t believed to be a long-term issue.
OUT: Richarlison (lower leg), Micky van de Ven (fitness), Radu Dragusin (torn ACL - out for season), Dominic Solanke (knee - MORE), Cristian Romero (quad) | QUESTIONABLE: Ben Davies (undisclosed), Dejan Kulusevski (foot)
AZ Alkmaar vs Tottenham Hotspur prediction
This feels like it will be a nervous outing for Spurs as AZ are tough to play against and won’t be fazed by the occasion given recent runs to the latter stages of European competitions. Expect a draw. AZ Alkmaar 1-1 Tottenham Hotspur.
AZ Alkmaar vs Tottenham Hotspur preview
Spurs are the heavy favorites as they finished fourth in the League Phase table and despite all of their injury issues, this competition has gone well for them this season. Ange Postecoglou has said he always wins a trophy in his second season in charge of a club but this competition is his only remaining hope of keeping that record intact. Spurs are the second favorites to win the Europa League and the likes of Son, Maddison and Co. are set to star in the latter stages. If they can get past AZ Alkmaar.
AZ are in the hunt for third place in the Eredivisie, with head coach Maarten Martens doing well in his first season in charge as they beat Galatasaray in the knockout round. Spurs academy product Troy Parrott is coming up against his boyhood club and has popped up with some big goals this season for AZ.
