Tottenham captain Son Heung-min has urged his team to learn from their 1-0 defeat against AZ Alkmaar in the Europa League and use it as motivation ahead of their crucial second-leg clash.
Spurs fell behind in the last-16 first leg in the Netherlands after Lucas Bergvall inadvertently turned the ball into his own net. The team struggled to create meaningful chances and were fortunate to return to London with only a single-goal deficit.
Speaking to TNT Sports, Son admitted the team fell short of expectations. “It was far from the level we should be at,” he said. “We’re all disappointed – myself included. This has to be a wake-up call because next week is our most important game of the season.”
Postecoglou aims for a response
Manager Ange Postecoglou acknowledged that his side was off the pace, failing to impose themselves on the match. He noted their lack of sharpness both in and out of possession.
“It wasn’t the performance we needed,” Postecoglou said. “We never settled into the game, struggled to build any momentum, and lacked aggression. It’s not a question of effort, but we didn’t approach the game with the right mindset for an away fixture in Europe.”
Postecoglou had previously highlighted his track record of winning silverware in his second season at a club. However, unless Spurs overturn the deficit in next Thursday’s return leg at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, that run could come to an end.
Injury concern and the road ahead
Spurs, who are 13th in the Premier League and have already exited both domestic cups, must now put everything into the second leg to keep their European hopes alive. Son stressed the need for a vastly improved display. “There are no excuses – we weren’t good enough. But it’s only 1-0, and we still have a chance,” he added.
Meanwhile, striker Dominic Solanke, who returned to action after seven weeks out with a knee injury, was forced off late in the match after coming on as a substitute for Son. Postecoglou downplayed concerns but admitted the extent of the issue was unclear. “It looks like a knock, but we’ll have to assess it,” he said.
Spurs now face a defining moment in their season, with their European fate hanging in the balance.
