Postecoglou instantly highlights where Spurs went wrong in damaging AZ defeat

Tottenham Hotspur endured a frustrating night in the Netherlands as an unfortunate own goal by Lucas Bergvall handed AZ Alkmaar a 1-0 victory in the first leg of their Europa League last-16 tie. Despite having over a week to prepare, Ange Postecoglou’s side put in a lethargic performance and failed to register a shot on target until the dying minutes of the game.
The decisive moment came in the 18th minute when a Troy Parrott effort took an unexpected turn. The former Spurs striker’s shot seemed harmless, but Bergvall, attempting to clear, sliced his effort awkwardly, sending the ball looping over Djed Spence and into his own net. It was a moment of misfortune that summed up Tottenham’s evening, as they struggled to create meaningful chances and lacked intensity throughout the match.

A Lackluster Display Raises Concerns

This defeat marked a historic moment for AZ Alkmaar, securing their first-ever win over an English club after 12 previous attempts. Meanwhile, Tottenham’s struggles in Europe continued, with the performance raising concerns over their ability to progress in the competition—especially given that the Europa League represents their last chance at silverware this season.
Postecoglou did not hold back in his post-match assessment, acknowledging that his team simply failed to meet the required level.
“It was a tricky pitch and we didn’t handle it well. But beyond that, we just weren’t aggressive enough and were far too passive in our pressing,” the Spurs boss admitted.
“Too many times we were just circulating the ball without any real intent to hurt them. No fault for the goal—it happens. But collectively, we were nowhere near the level we needed to be, and that’s something we have to address.”
Postecoglou’s frustration was evident as he highlighted Tottenham’s lack of control throughout the match.
“It wasn’t a great night for us. It’s a disappointing result and an even more disappointing performance. We never got a grip on the game, never really controlled it at any stage. We struggled both on and off the ball. But it’s only halfway—we’re still in the tie,” he added.

Missed Opportunities and Defensive Concerns

Tottenham’s lineup raised some eyebrows as Postecoglou opted to keep key players like Micky van de Ven, Cristian Romero, and Dominic Solanke on the bench. Injuries also played a role, with AZ suffering an early setback as Mayckel Lahdo was forced off after just eight minutes.
Despite a shaky start, AZ grew into the game and capitalized on their first real chance. Peer Koopmeiners’ corner found Parrott, whose shot took an unfortunate deflection off Bergvall and ended up in the net.
Tottenham responded briefly, but AZ continued to look dangerous. Just past the half-hour mark, the Dutch side launched a swift counterattack following a Spurs corner, with Parrott racing through on goal. However, Guglielmo Vicario produced a crucial save to prevent the hosts from doubling their lead.
As the first half wore on, Tottenham’s lack of sharpness became increasingly evident. A poorly executed short free-kick by Son Heung-min summed up their struggles, and they were fortunate to escape further punishment when James Maddison and Bergvall made last-ditch blocks to deny David Moller Wolfe and Koopmeiners.

Tactical Changes But No Breakthrough

With Spurs trailing at the break, Postecoglou made an attacking switch, introducing Wilson Odobert for Mathys Tel. The change initially sparked some urgency, with Bergvall firing wide before Son blasted a shot over the bar.
However, AZ continued to threaten, and Ernest Poku forced another save from Vicario after a dangerous cross from Moller Wolfe. Things got worse for Spurs when Rodrigo Bentancur picked up a booking for a reckless challenge on the impressive Parrott—ruling him out of the second leg in North London.
Desperate to find a breakthrough, Postecoglou made a triple substitution with 18 minutes remaining, bringing on Pedro Porro, Pape Matar Sarr, and Solanke. But despite the fresh legs, Tottenham struggled to carve out clear-cut opportunities.

A Mountain to Climb in the Second Leg

Ultimately, Tottenham left the AFAS Stadion with nothing to show for their efforts, and they now face an uphill battle in the return leg. The performance raised serious concerns about their ability to break down well-organized teams, and with Bentancur suspended, Postecoglou will need to find solutions quickly.
Spurs have 90 minutes at home to turn the tie around, but they will need a significant improvement if they hope to avoid another premature exit from European competition.