Postecoglou’s Solanke Tottenham hint and the unfortunate Tel repeat

Dominic Solanke’s return to action for Tottenham in their Europa League clash against AZ Alkmaar took an unfortunate turn, as the striker sustained a late injury during stoppage time.

After missing nearly two months due to a knee injury, he was reintroduced in the second half but lasted only around 20 minutes before being forced off following a heavy collision. The incident occurred when he contested a cross from the right flank, colliding mid-air with AZ goalkeeper Rome-Jayden Owusu-Oduro.

Solanke took a knee to either his lower back or hip, immediately falling to the ground in clear discomfort, visibly frustrated as he pounded the turf before receiving medical attention.

Unable to continue, he was replaced by Dane Scarlett, limping around the perimeter of the pitch with the assistance of a Tottenham staff member before making his way to the bench.

His condition now raises doubts about his availability for the upcoming Premier League fixture against Bournemouth, a concern that Postecoglou addressed in his post-match press conference.

The Spurs manager admitted he had not yet assessed the full extent of Solanke’s injury but remained hopeful that it was only a minor knock, avoiding any definitive statements regarding his potential involvement in the next match.

Tottenham will be desperate for a swift recovery, as Solanke’s presence up front has been sorely missed. His ability to lead the line has been crucial to Postecoglou’s tactical setup, and his absence over the past two months has been felt in the team’s attacking output.

With a crucial week ahead, including the second leg against AZ, his fitness could play a pivotal role in Tottenham’s ambitions in both domestic and European competitions.

All eyes were on Postecoglou’s lineup decisions, particularly with Solanke, Cristian Romero, and Micky van de Ven making the trip to the Netherlands.

Opting for a cautious approach, the manager kept all three on the bench, allowing them to gradually reintegrate into the squad rather than rushing them back into the starting XI. This meant that Mathys Tel led the line once again, but the young French striker endured another frustrating evening.

After registering just 13 touches in the previous match against Manchester City, Tel managed only one more in this game, reaching 14 touches with a perfect pass completion rate from his 10 attempts.

However, he remained isolated in the attacking third, failing to receive any real service as AZ controlled proceedings. Despite Tottenham’s increased possession in the opposition half after conceding, they struggled to create meaningful chances, leaving Tel with little opportunity to make an impact inside the penalty area.

Recognizing the need for a change, Postecoglou substituted Tel at halftime, introducing Wilson Odobert instead of Solanke. This tactical shift saw Son Heung-min move into the central striker role, signaling that Solanke was not yet ready for extended minutes despite making the matchday squad.

Eventually, the former Bournemouth forward entered the fray in the 72nd minute, replacing Son for the final stretch of the match.

Similar to Tel, Solanke found himself on the periphery of the action as Spurs pushed for an equalizer. Opportunities remained scarce, and just as Tottenham finally managed to deliver a dangerous ball into the box for him, the forward suffered the heavy knock that prematurely ended his night.

The frustration was evident, as he had barely been given a chance to influence the game before his injury forced him off the field.

With Tottenham struggling to find the back of the net in recent games, Postecoglou needs either Tel or Solanke to provide a breakthrough performance in the second leg against AZ next Thursday.

The Dutch side has proven to be well-organized defensively, making it imperative for Spurs to find solutions in the attacking third. If fit, Solanke’s presence could be the key to unlocking AZ’s defense, offering the physicality and finishing ability that Tottenham lacked in the first leg.

As the club awaits further medical evaluations, everyone connected with Spurs will be hoping that Solanke’s injury does not lead to another prolonged spell on the sidelines.

His availability could be decisive in Tottenham’s push for a place in the quarter-finals, and with important Premier League fixtures on the horizon, his return to full fitness cannot come soon enough.