“It’s very disappointing- Son reacts to Spurs’ defeat to AZ | OneFootball

Spurs Face Reality Check After Europa League Loss to AZ Alkmaar

Tottenham Hotspur’s 1-0 defeat to AZ Alkmaar in the Europa League last-16 first-leg tie has left their hopes of securing silverware this season hanging by a thread. Captain Son Heung-min has urged his side to take this as a “wake-up call” ahead of what he describes as their “biggest game of the season.”

Lacklustre Spurs Struggle in the Netherlands

Spurs endured a frustrating night in the Netherlands, with Lucas Bergvall’s own goal proving the difference. Despite boasting a strong squad, Ange Postecoglou’s side failed to create meaningful chances and were fortunate to leave with just a one-goal deficit to overturn in next Thursday’s second leg at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

“It’s nowhere near where we should perform,” Son admitted to TNT Sports. “It was very disappointing that we performed like this, including me. It’s a big wake-up call because next week is the biggest game of the season.”

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Son’s honesty encapsulates the frustration within the Spurs camp. The first half saw little attacking intent, while sloppiness in possession further undermined their efforts. “We didn’t create anything in the first half, sloppiness, not performing the way we should. Everyone is very disappointed about the individual performance and the team performance,” Son added.

Postecoglou’s Trophy Streak at Risk

Postecoglou had previously pointed out that he always wins a trophy in his second season at a club. That record is now under threat. Tottenham’s early exits from both domestic cups and their position in the Premier League leave the Europa League as their only chance of silverware. Failure to turn things around next week would see another opportunity slip away.

“It was nowhere near the level it needed to be,” Postecoglou admitted after the game. “It wasn’t great from us tonight, pretty much all facets of the game. We didn’t really get to grips with any part of the game. We struggled to gain any momentum with the ball, we weren’t as aggressive as we needed to be without the ball.”

Response Needed at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium

Postecoglou remained adamant that effort and attitude were not the problem but rather the team’s inability to impose themselves on the game. “I don’t think it’s a matter of effort or attitude. I don’t think it is going out there and not trying, but, like I said, we didn’t really come to grips and have the right mindset to tackle an away fixture in Europe.”

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Spurs will need to rediscover their attacking intent if they are to overcome AZ Alkmaar in the return leg. The Dutch side have proven themselves defensively resilient, meaning Tottenham will have to show far greater creativity and urgency next week.

Meanwhile, there are concerns over Dominic Solanke, who made his return from a knee injury but was forced off late in the match. “It looks like a knock, but I haven’t really seen it – hopefully nothing too bad,” Postecoglou said.

With their season potentially hinging on this tie, Spurs must deliver a vastly improved performance if they want to keep their European hopes alive.