AZ Alkmaar vs. Tottenham Hotspur | Europa League | Round of 16 | 1st Leg | Pre Match
AZ Alkmaar vs. Tottenham Hotspur
The bookmakers' favorites to win this season’s Europa League are Tottenham Hotspur, who are gearing up for a pivotal trip to the Netherlands to face AZ Alkmaar at the AFAS Stadion in the first leg of their last-16 tie on Thursday evening. Tottenham, a club steeped in rich footballing tradition, have found themselves in an intriguing position this season, balancing ambitions in both domestic and European competitions under the stewardship of head coach Ange Postecoglou. The Europa League represents a golden opportunity for Spurs to salvage what has otherwise been a challenging campaign, and their journey to the knockout rounds has been marked by moments of brilliance interspersed with frustrating inconsistency. Having secured fourth spot in the 36-team League Phase standings—a format that tested their depth and resilience—Spurs earned a direct passage to the last 16, a testament to their ability to grind out results when it mattered most. Their opponents, AZ Alkmaar, finished significantly lower in 19th place, a position that reflects their struggles in the League Phase, though they demonstrated their knockout pedigree by overcoming Galatasaray with a commanding 6-3 aggregate victory in the playoff round. This matchup pits Tottenham’s attacking flair and European experience against AZ’s dogged determination and home advantage, setting the stage for a fascinating clash at the AFAS Stadion. For Spurs, this tie is not just about progressing in the competition but also about restoring pride and momentum in a season that has threatened to unravel.
While Tottenham’s European campaign has shown promise, their domestic form paints a far bleaker picture, with the club enduring a torrid run since the beginning of December. In that time, Spurs have played an exhausting 23 matches across all competitions, a grueling schedule that has exposed vulnerabilities in their squad depth and consistency, resulting in 11 defeats. Their most recent setback came in the form of a narrow 1-0 home loss to Manchester City in the Premier League, a match played just a week prior to their upcoming trip to Alkmaar. That defeat, which unfolded last Wednesday, underscored the fine margins that have plagued Tottenham this season, as they struggled to convert chances against a clinical City side. The loss was emblematic of a broader malaise that has seen Spurs slip to 13th in the Premier League table, a position that puts them at serious risk of missing out on a top-10 finish, let alone securing a European spot for the next campaign. With 11 games remaining, they trail 10th-placed Aston Villa by nine points, sit 10 points adrift of the top seven, and are a daunting 14 points behind the top four. This precarious standing has piled pressure on Postecoglou, whose bold attacking philosophy has yet to yield the consistency required to compete at the highest level. The Europa League, therefore, looms as a potential lifeline—a chance to deliver silverware and restore faith among a fanbase desperate for success after years of near misses.
Ange Postecoglou, a manager known for his unwavering belief in his methods, is now under intense scrutiny to turn Tottenham’s fortunes around, particularly after his pre-season declaration that he “always wins things in my second year.” With the club already eliminated from both domestic cup competitions—the FA Cup and the League Cup—his promise hangs in the balance, and the Europa League has emerged as his most realistic shot at delivering on that pledge. Despite the mounting challenges, Postecoglou remains defiant, insisting there is still “an opportunity” to salvage Tottenham’s season across both the Premier League and Europe. The Lilywhites’ late surge in the Europa League’s League Phase offers a glimmer of hope, as they closed out that stage with consecutive victories over Hoffenheim (3-2) and Elfsborg (3-0), showcasing their attacking potency when firing on all cylinders. Crucially, they have already faced AZ Alkmaar this season, securing a hard-fought 1-0 win at home on matchday three—a result that could provide a psychological edge heading into Thursday’s encounter. Tottenham’s historical record against Dutch opposition in major European competitions further bolsters their case, with seven wins in their last 11 such matches (D2 L2), including a memorable 3-2 triumph at Ajax in May 2019 during their run to the Champions League final. However, their away form in European knockout ties tells a different story, with just three victories in their last 18 away legs (D5 L10), a statistic that highlights the challenge awaiting them in Alkmaar. For Postecoglou and his players, this tie represents a chance to defy the odds and reassert their credentials on the continental stage.
Meanwhile, AZ Alkmaar enter this tie with their own blend of optimism and uncertainty, their season a rollercoaster of highs and lows that mirrors Tottenham’s in some respects. Since their Europa League playoff triumph over Galatasaray—where they followed up a commanding 4-1 home win with a 2-2 draw in Istanbul—AZ have experienced mixed fortunes on the domestic front. A narrow 1-0 victory over Fortuna Sittard in the Eredivisie offered a positive start, and their subsequent progression to the KNVB Beker final, secured via a dramatic 4-3 penalty shootout win over Hercules after a 2-2 draw in 120 minutes, showcased their resilience. Yet, a 3-1 league defeat at Heerenveen last weekend halted their momentum, leaving them in sixth place in the Eredivisie standings and squandering an opportunity to climb back into the top three—a position that guarantees Europa League qualification next season. With 10 games left, AZ trail third place by just three points, but their immediate focus now shifts to this two-legged tie against Spurs, with no domestic fixture scheduled over the weekend. Under head coach Maarten Martens, AZ are determined to reach the Europa League quarter-finals for the first time since the 2013-14 campaign, a milestone that would mark a significant achievement for a club that has often punched above its weight in European competition. Despite their attacking prowess—having scored 19 goals in the Europa League this season, a tally surpassed by only three teams—AZ’s record against English clubs is less encouraging, with just two wins in 19 previous encounters. Their last major European season with more than 20 goals came in 2006-07 (26), and they will hope to channel that firepower against a Spurs defense that has shown vulnerability on the road.
AZ Alkmaar’s preparations for Thursday’s clash have been hampered by injuries, with key attacking midfielder Sven Mijnans sidelined by an Achilles tendon issue, a blow to their creative output. Winger Jayden Addai (ankle) is also out, while Ruben van Bommel and Mexx Meerdink are doubtful, leaving Martens with selection headaches. In Mijnans’ absence, Zico Buurmeester, who scored in the recent loss to Heerenveen, is expected to step into the number 10 role, supported by the experienced midfield pairing of Jordy Clasie—once of Southampton—and Peer Koopmeiners. Up top, former Tottenham striker Troy Parrott, now AZ’s leading scorer with 17 goals across all competitions, including four in the Europa League, will relish the chance to haunt his old club. The 23-year-old Irishman has found a new lease on life in the Netherlands and will lead AZ’s line with confidence. For Tottenham, the injury list is equally concerning: Dejan Kulusevski’s protective boot suggests he’ll miss at least a week, Radu Dragusin (ACL) is a long-term absentee, and Dominic Solanke (knee) and Richarlison (calf) are unlikely to feature. Antonin Kinsky, Fraser Forster, Timo Werner, and Sergio Reguilon are ineligible due to their omission from the Europa League squad, while Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero (both thigh) remain doubtful despite returning to training. Ben Davies (load management) faces a late fitness test. On a brighter note, January signings Kevin Danso and Mathys Tel are poised for their European debuts, with Tel likely joining Son Heung-min in attack—Son’s seven major European knockout goals for Spurs trail only Dimitar Berbatov’s 12 this century. As both teams brace for battle, this tie promises drama, with Tottenham’s European hopes and Postecoglou’s reputation hanging in the balance.
