Tottenham player ratings vs AZ Alkmaar – 9/10 duo send the Lilywhites marching on

Tottenham Hotspur secured their place in the UEFA Europa League quarter-finals with a commanding 3-1 victory over AZ Alkmaar at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Ange Postecoglou’s side delivered a solid performance, overcoming a brief defensive lapse to assert their dominance and book their spot in the next round.
With the tie finely poised, Spurs stepped up when it mattered most, with key contributions from James Maddison, Wilson Odobert, and Dominic Solanke helping them seal the win. Let’s take a deep dive into how each player performed and rate their individual displays over the course of the 90 minutes.

Tottenham Player Ratings vs AZ Alkmaar

Goalkeeper & Defence

Guglielmo Vicario – 7
The Italian shot-stopper had a relatively quiet first half, with AZ Alkmaar struggling to create clear-cut chances. However, he had a nervy moment early in the second half when a miscontrolled pass nearly put Spurs in trouble. While he couldn’t do much about Alkmaar’s goal, Vicario made some key claims late on to relieve pressure and secure the result.
Pedro Porro – 6
Porro was solid but unspectacular on the night. His defensive positioning was generally good, and he made some useful forward runs, but his final product lacked precision. While not his worst outing in a Spurs shirt, he certainly wasn’t at his dynamic best.
Cristian Romero – 6
Romero’s recent struggles continued with another mixed display. His passing remained crisp and effective when building from the back, but defensively, he looked vulnerable after Micky van de Ven was withdrawn. The Argentine needs to regain his composure if he is to return to his best form.
Micky van de Ven – 7.5
The Dutch defender once again showed why he is such a key player for Tottenham. His recovery pace and awareness were on display as he halted a dangerous AZ Alkmaar counter-attack with a well-timed challenge. However, given his injury history, Postecoglou wisely substituted him after an hour to avoid unnecessary risks.
Djed Spence – 6.5
A mixed evening for Spence. He struggled with ball retention in the first half and was caught out defensively when he lost possession, leading to a chance for the visitors. However, he redeemed himself by playing a crucial role in Tottenham’s third goal, making an overlapping run before providing the assist.

Midfield

Pape Matar Sarr – 5
A largely anonymous display from Sarr, who struggled to impose himself on the game. His passing was safe, but he didn’t make a significant impact in either attack or defence.
Lucas Bergvall – 8
Bergvall was impressive for the majority of the match, dictating the tempo in midfield and demonstrating excellent ball control. However, his night was tainted by a costly mistake that led to AZ Alkmaar’s goal, similar to last week’s performance. While his overall contribution was strong, he needs to cut out these lapses in concentration.
James Maddison – 9
Maddison was a standout performer, showcasing his creativity and composure. He opened the scoring in the second half with a well-placed finish into the bottom corner, marking his 11th goal of the season. The playmaker was also heavily involved in the buildup to Tottenham’s third goal, capping off a performance full of energy and attacking intent.

Attack

Wilson Odobert – 9
Odobert had an eventful night, finding the net twice and proving to be a constant threat in attack. His opener set the tone for Tottenham’s dominance, but he was also partly at fault for AZ Alkmaar’s goal due to a lack of communication with Bergvall. Nevertheless, he responded well, grabbing his second goal to put the game beyond doubt.
Dominic Solanke – 7
Solanke didn’t get on the scoresheet but played a pivotal role with two assists. His second assist was particularly brilliant, a clever backheel that set up a teammate in prime position. He worked tirelessly and linked up well with his attacking partners.
Heung-Min Son – 8
Son was instrumental in Tottenham’s attacking play, pressing high and creating openings for his teammates. He assisted Maddison for the second goal and was involved in the buildup to the third. While not everything he attempted came off, his work rate and leadership were vital to Spurs’ success on the night.

Substitutes

Archie Gray – 6
Gray was introduced late in the game and, unfortunately for him, Tottenham conceded shortly after. However, he wasn’t directly responsible for the goal.
Yves Bissouma – 6
The Malian midfielder showed defensive commitment, throwing himself in front of a close-range effort soon after coming on. His presence helped Spurs see out the victory.
Brennan Johnson – N/A
Came on too late to make a significant impact.
Ben Davies – N/A
A late replacement for Bergvall as Spurs saw out the game.

Final Thoughts

Tottenham delivered a strong overall performance, with standout displays from Maddison and Odobert driving them to victory. Despite a few defensive hiccups, the team showed resilience and attacking quality to ensure their progression in the Europa League. As they head into the quarter-finals, Ange Postecoglou will be pleased with his team’s attacking output but may have concerns over defensive lapses, particularly with Romero’s recent form.
The journey continues for Spurs, and with players like Maddison and Odobert in fine form, they will fancy their chances of going deep into the competition.