Tottenham was lucky to leave Alkmaar with their Europa League dream that was still alive after a 1-0 defeat against AZ on Thursday.
Struggling in the bottom half of the Premier League and from both domestic cups, the hope of Spurs rests on a successful season on European glory, with a long-awaited trophy victory that also reflects a route to continental action next period.
But a limited loss in this last 16 first stage in the Netherlands represented a positive result for a visiting side that was dominated from the start despite the control of possession.
The only goal came thanks to a Tottenham player when Lucas Bergvall's carved clearance ran over Guglielmo Vicario in the 18th minute.
Vicario then ensured that the extent of the damage remained before the return match of next week, but saved from ex-spurs Vooruit Troy Parrott before Any Postecoglou's men somehow climbing a manic goal-in short before half-time.
There was no change in the game pattern after the restart, but Vicario saved well from Ernest Poku, and AZ can fear that they have left Tottenham off the hook.
Full -time in the first stage. pic.twitter.com/tlqlmfgpj2
– Tottenham Hotspur (@spursofficial) March 6, 2025
Data Debrief: Score flatters tracks
Tottenham will have to improve drastically in the home leg to continue; They created very little and looked incredibly vulnerable at the back, which led to an extremely one -sided encounter.
AZ created Schoten worth 1.57 expected goals to Spurs' 0.44, including four Opta-defined big opportunities. Sper Bobligate finish and the fine version of Vicario, the visitors could only collect one shot on goal.
They hope to have reinforcements at both ends of the field next week, but Dominic Solanke, one of the recurring stars of Tottenham, had to be replaced in stopping time after the bank's appearance.
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