Tottenham Hotspur face a crucial challenge in their quest to secure a spot in the UEFA Europa League quarter-finals. Ange Postecoglou’s side will need a strong response on home turf after falling to a narrow 1-0 defeat against AZ Alkmaar in the first leg of their Round of 16 clash. The match in the Netherlands was decided by an unfortunate own goal from Lucas Bergvall, a freak moment that ultimately separated the two teams on the night.
Despite their struggles in attack, Spurs can count themselves somewhat fortunate that the deficit remains just one goal. AZ Alkmaar had several golden opportunities to extend their lead but failed to capitalize, leaving Tottenham with everything to play for at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in the decisive second leg. A victory on Thursday night is essential for Spurs, and they can take confidence from their previous triumph over AZ at home in this season’s Europa League campaign.
A Possible Path to the Quarter-Finals
The stakes are high for Tottenham, as the winner of their tie with AZ Alkmaar will advance to face either Ajax or Eintracht Frankfurt in the next round. As it stands, Eintracht Frankfurt hold the advantage in their tie, having secured a 2-1 win in Amsterdam last week. Should Spurs overturn their deficit against AZ, they could face another stern test in the quarter-finals.
However, Tottenham will have to navigate this critical fixture without the services of Rodrigo Bentancur. The Uruguayan midfielder has been a key figure in Postecoglou’s midfield, but he will be suspended for the second leg after accumulating his third yellow card of the Europa League campaign. UEFA’s disciplinary rules state that players who receive three cautions in the tournament are automatically suspended for one match, meaning Bentancur will play no part in Thursday’s showdown.
Tottenham’s Suspension Worries
Bentancur’s absence is a blow, but he is not the only Spurs player affected by UEFA’s yellow card regulations. Two other Tottenham stars are walking a disciplinary tightrope, as another booking in the second leg would see them miss the first leg of a potential quarter-final.
According to UEFA Article 63.02, any player who accumulates three yellow cards during the competition will be suspended for one match. Additionally, suspensions occur for every subsequent odd-numbered booking—fifth, seventh, ninth, and so on. Importantly, yellow cards are carried over from the league phase and are only wiped out after the quarter-finals, meaning Spurs must be cautious as they approach this pivotal fixture.
As it stands, Yves Bissouma and Lucas Bergvall are both on two yellow cards each, putting them in danger of missing a quarter-final tie should Spurs progress. Dejan Kulusevski is also on two bookings, but the Swedish winger is currently sidelined with a foot injury and is not expected to return until after the upcoming international break. If Tottenham do manage to overturn their first-leg defeat and reach the quarter-finals, Kulusevski will need to tread carefully in the next round to avoid suspension.
Radu Dragusin, another Spurs player who had received two yellow cards in the competition, is no longer at risk of suspension due to his season-ending injury. The Romanian defender has been removed from Tottenham’s European squad, meaning his disciplinary record is now irrelevant for the remainder of the campaign.
Spurs Need a Strong Response
With their European hopes hanging in the balance, Tottenham must find a way to deliver a much-improved performance compared to their first-leg struggles. The attacking trio of Son Heung-min, Brennan Johnson, and James Maddison will need to be at their creative best, while the midfield battle will be crucial in controlling the tempo of the game. The absence of Bentancur places more responsibility on Bissouma and Pape Matar Sarr to dictate play and provide stability in the center of the park.
Defensively, Spurs must remain disciplined to avoid conceding an away goal that would make their task even more difficult. AZ Alkmaar have shown they can create chances, and Tottenham’s backline—led by Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero—will need to be alert to any counterattacks from the Dutch side.
The North London club have already beaten AZ at home in the Europa League this season, and they will need to summon that same intensity and quality once again if they are to keep their European dream alive. With the added challenge of suspension concerns looming over key players, Tottenham must strike the perfect balance between aggression and composure.
Thursday night’s second leg promises to be a high-stakes encounter, and Spurs fans will be hoping for a rousing response from their team as they seek to book their place in the last eight of the competition.
Spurs could be without key duo for AZ Alkmaar tie as UEFA makes new announcement ahead of clash
