Tottenham Hotspur endured a dismal night in the Europa League as they suffered a frustrating 1-0 defeat to AZ Alkmaar in the first leg of their quarterfinal tie. The Dutch side asserted their dominance early and maintained a firm grip on the match, pressing relentlessly to disrupt Spurs’ rhythm. From the outset, AZ’s aggressive approach smothered Tottenham’s attempts to build from the back, making it nearly impossible for Ange Postecoglou’s men to string together meaningful possession. Their high-energy press forced mistakes, and Spurs found themselves struggling to progress beyond their own half. Given the hosts’ superiority on the night, Tottenham were perhaps fortunate to escape with just a one-goal deficit.
Yet, as has been the case throughout the season, Tottenham’s issues extended beyond just a poor performance. The match also brought fresh injury concerns, with a key player potentially facing another spell on the sidelines—an issue that could have serious repercussions for the remainder of their campaign.
Early Setback and Toothless Attack
The game started on the worst possible note for Tottenham, as a defensive error led to an early own goal by Lucas Bergvall, instantly putting the visitors under pressure. Rather than responding with urgency, Spurs struggled to find any attacking rhythm, with their frontline looking disjointed and ineffective. James Maddison, typically a creative spark, failed to make an impact, while Mathys Tel and Brennan Johnson offered little movement or link-up play, making it easy for AZ Alkmaar’s well-organized defense to shut them down.
Postecoglou, who has emphasized an attacking and high-intensity style of football since arriving at the club, would have been deeply frustrated by his team’s lack of energy and cohesion. Tottenham’s inability to break down Alkmaar’s defensive structure left them looking bereft of ideas, and their rare ventures forward lacked conviction. The Australian coach will no doubt demand a drastic improvement when Spurs welcome AZ to North London for the second leg, knowing they need a much better performance to turn the tie around.
Solanke Injury Adds to Spurs’ Woes
However, the poor display was not the only worry for Tottenham. The night took an even more concerning turn when Dominic Solanke, who had only recently returned from an injury that kept him out for ten matches, was involved in a painful collision with AZ Alkmaar’s goalkeeper. As the striker challenged for a loose ball, the keeper appeared to make forceful contact with Solanke’s lower spine, leaving him in visible agony on the pitch.
The 26-year-old immediately fell to the ground clutching his back, and the severity of the injury remains uncertain. Medical staff rushed onto the field to tend to him, but what followed sparked a wave of criticism—particularly from former Spurs midfielder Jamie O’Hara.
Jamie O’Hara’s Frustration Over Medical Response
The Tottenham academy graduate was left fuming over the way Solanke’s injury was handled, taking issue with the decision not to use a stretcher despite the striker’s evident pain.
Speaking on Sky Sports News, O’Hara voiced his frustration, saying, “They’ve taken him off, and he’s limping around, but it really annoys me when a player has to walk 60-70 yards when he’s clearly in pain. Get a stretcher. You don’t know—he might have fractured his spine, you’re not actually sure what he’s done here. He’s in a bad way.”
The former Spurs midfielder continued, questioning why the medical team did not act with more urgency.
“It really annoys me that they don’t get a stretcher out to get him off the pitch because it seems like he’s in a lot of pain. I’m hoping he’s just got a really bad whack and he’ll be okay, but it’s going to be sore, that’s for sure. Losing him now would be a huge blow.”
Postecoglou Faces a Selection Dilemma
With Solanke forced off, Postecoglou had no choice but to bring on academy graduate Dane Scarlett in the latter stages of the game. While the young forward has shown promise, he lacks the experience and presence that Solanke brings to Tottenham’s attacking setup. Given the magnitude of the second leg and the club’s aspirations of progressing in Europe, Spurs could find themselves in a difficult situation if their summer signing is ruled out.
The timing of this potential setback could not be worse. Tottenham are approaching a critical juncture in the season, with their European campaign on the line and a packed domestic schedule ahead. Losing Solanke—who has proven to be a key figure in Postecoglou’s system—would severely weaken their attacking options at a time when they desperately need a strong performance to overturn the deficit.
Looking Ahead
With the second leg just days away, Tottenham now have limited time to regroup and rectify their mistakes. Postecoglou will demand a sharper, more composed display at home, where Spurs will need to take control of the game early and show greater attacking intent. Improvements in midfield creativity and forward movement will be essential if they are to break down AZ Alkmaar’s disciplined defensive setup.
However, the biggest question mark remains over Solanke’s fitness. The club’s medical team will be closely monitoring the striker, and all eyes will be on Postecoglou’s next press conference for updates. If Solanke is ruled out, Tottenham will need to find a way to compensate for his absence, whether that means relying on Scarlett or tweaking their attacking approach.
One thing is clear: if Spurs deliver another underwhelming performance like the one in Alkmaar, their Europa League journey could come to a disappointing end.
‘He might have fractured his spine…’ – Pundit fuming over Dominic Solanke’s injury treatment
