Spurs slip up on the highway

AZ Alkmaar secured an important 1-0 victory over Tottenham within the first leg of their Europa League knockout tie.

The house facet capitalised on a defensive lapse whereas preserving the guests at bay.

A primary-half personal aim from Lucas Bergvall proved decisive, as Spurs didn’t register a single shot heading in the right direction all through the match.

Regardless of a dominant share of possession, Tottenham struggled to create significant alternatives, with AZ’s disciplined protection and aggressive urgent making certain their lead remained intact.

Ange Postecoglou’s males have been uninspired in assault, whereas the hosts took full benefit of their set-piece alternatives.

The sport began brightly for AZ, with Lahdo and Moller Wolfe combining effectively down the left.

Nevertheless, an early setback noticed Lahdo pressured off by way of damage, changed by Kasius.

Spurs dominated possession within the opening exchanges, however AZ remained compact, irritating their Premier League opponents.

🔥 𝐓𝐄𝐀𝐌#AZAlkmaar #aztot #UEL #TheFutureIsOurs pic.twitter.com/hoNh0OjFOy

— AZ (@AZAlkmaar) March 6, 2025

The breakthrough got here within the 18th minute. A nook from Koopmeiners was mishit by Parrott, sending the ball throughout the six-yard field, the place Bergvall inadvertently turned it into his personal web.

It was a disastrous second for Spurs, gifting AZ the lead with their first actual assault.

Spurs tried to reply, however their efforts have been tame. Johnson fired over from distance, and Maddison and Son wasted a promising free-kick routine.

In the meantime, AZ grew in confidence, with Parrott lacking a golden likelihood to double their lead after being performed by way of one-on-one.

Vicario’s fast reactions denied his former teammate, preserving Tottenham’s deficit to 1 at half-time.

Postecoglou reacted by making a half-time substitution, introducing Wilson Odobert instead of the ineffective Mathys Tel.

Nevertheless, Spurs’ struggles continued. Their first-half tally of simply two pictures was compounded by a second half that noticed AZ stay in management, regardless of Tottenham’s tried tactical shifts.

AZ practically prolonged their lead when Poku’s pushed shot was expertly stopped by Vicario.

Spurs, in the meantime, continued to misfire, with Son and Bergvall each sending efforts vast. Their lack of leading edge was summed up by their continued incapacity to hassle AZ keeper Owusu-Oduro.

A flurry of substitutions adopted as Postecoglou sought a approach again into the sport. Captain Heung-Min Son, who had been largely nameless, was withdrawn for Dominic Solanke, whereas Maddison made approach for Pape Sarr.

Pedro Porro additionally changed Future Udogie in a bid so as to add extra dynamism down the flank. But, regardless of these modifications, Spurs remained lacklustre in assault.

AZ continued to look harmful on the break, with Koopmeiners pulling the strings in midfield. Poku noticed one other shot sail over the bar, whereas Maikuma and Grey stored Tottenham’s backline busy.

The sport grew more and more bodily, with Bentancur, Koopmeiners, and Poku all receiving yellow playing cards in a heated second half.

As the ultimate whistle blew, AZ celebrated a well-earned victory, whereas Spurs have been left annoyed by their lack of attacking impetus.

With a second leg at dwelling nonetheless to come back, Tottenham should discover a strategy to break down AZ’s defence if they’re to overturn the deficit and maintain their European hopes alive.