AZ Alkmaar vs Tottenham – Match preview and team news

In partnership with

The Football Faithful

·06 de março de 2025

AZ Alkmaar vs Tottenham – Match preview and team news

Tottenham will need to overcome AZ Alkmaar over two legs to progress into the last eight of the Europa League.

Ange Postecoglou’s side finished in fourth place in the league phase with only one loss to their name. In those eight games, Spurs actually faced AZ Alkmaar and won 1-0 at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Vídeos OneFootball

The Lilywhites have received a massive personnel boost ahead of their trip to the Netherlands.

Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven and Dominic Solanke have all travelled to Alkmaar. The central defensive pairing have been plagued by injury this term and their recovery has been hampered by recurring issues.

MATCHDAY! 👊 🆚 AZ Alkmaar 🏟️ AZ Stadion 🏆 @EuropaLeague ⏰ 5.45pm GMT
– quinta-feira, 6 de março de 2025

Dejan Kulusevski’s availability is a concern with the Swede reportedly nursing a foot issue. Tottenham’s number 21 was spotted on social media wearing a protective boot.

AZ Alkmaar caused a big upset by knocking out Turkish giants Galatasaray 6-3 on aggregate in the playoffs.

Creative midfielder Sven Mijnans suffered an Achilles tendon injury in the second leg and faces two months on the sidelines. Their options on the flank are limited due to the expected absences of Ruben van Bommel and Jayden Addai.

AZ Alkmaar vs Tottenham – Match preview and team news

Form

AZ Alkmaar: WDWDL

AZ Alkmaar’s seven-game unbeaten run came to an end at the weekend at the hands of Heerenveen.

Maarten Martens’ players were visibly exhausted on Sunday after their Thursday night cup match with Heracles went to extra-time.

Their effort was worthwhile as they held their nerve to win the penalty shootout and advance to the final. The KNVB trophy’s destination will be decided in April with Go Ahead Eagles challenging Alkmaar.

The club haven’t reached the quarter-finals of this competition in over a decade. A win tonight would give them a fighting chance of reaching the last eight.

Tottenham: LLWWL

Spurs have had a full week to stew over their defeat to Premier League holders Manchester City.

The 1-0 scoreline flattered the Lilywhites, although Pape Matar Sarr should’ve equalised with the last kick of the game.

With their prospects of qualifying for Europe through their league position looking unlikely, winning this competition has become the primary focus for Tottenham.

Ange Postecoglou’s outfit have won three out of their last four away games and netted the joint-most goals in the league phase with 17.

Last Meeting: Tottenham 1-0 AZ Alkmaar, Europa League, 24th October 2024

A Richarlison penalty was the difference in North London as Tottenham beat AZ Alkmaar.

Spurs entered the encounter with a perfect record having triumphed in their opening two games of the Europa League.

Ange Postecoglou put his faith in prodigy Mikey Moore and he was inches away from scoring his first senior goal inside five minutes. Timo Werner’s curling cross was bending towards the teenager, but the pressure from David Moller Wolfe meant he headed wide.

Werner cut a despondent figure after spurning a glorious opportunity. Lucas Bergvall’s gorgeous pass sent the German through. With only Rome Owusu-Oduro to beat, the RB Leipzig loanee’s finish lacked conviction and it rolled into the goalkeeper’s grasp.

The Dutch visitors also posed a threat and Fraser Forster needed to be alert to deny Alexandre Penetra’s header.

Before the break, James Maddison had a penalty appeal for Spurs dismissed and Werner blazed wide from an acute angle.

A bright start to the second period was rewarded with a spot-kick within six minutes of the restart. Maxim Dekker scythed down Bergvall in the box, which left the referee with an easy decision.

Following a heated discussion with Maddison, Richarlison eventually convinced his captain that he deserved the responsibility. The Brazilian instantly proved his credentials with a coolly taken penalty and the tussle quickly transformed into a warm embrace.

Alkmaar’s biggest chance for parity fell to Mayckel Lahdo but the Swede’s shot was straight down the throat of Forster.

Tottenham’s three points were virtually confirmed in the closing stages following Moller Wolfe’s dismissal. The 22-year-old received a second booking after clipping the heels of Brennan Johnson.

Predicted Lineups

AZ Alkmaar: Owusu-Oduro; Maikuma, Goes, Penetra, Moller Wolfe; Clasie, Koopmeiners; Poku, Buurmeester, Lahdo; Parrott.

Tottenham: Vicario; Porro, Danso, Gray, Spence; Sarr, Bentancur, Maddison; Johnson, Tel, Son.

Who is the referee?

Slovenian referee Rade Obrenovic will be the match official. Jure Praprotnik and Andraz Kovacic will assist him while David Smajc will be the fourth official. The VAR will be Alen Borosak and he will be assisted by Carlos del Cerro Grande.