Tottenham’s last battle with AZ Alkmaar is an ominous Europa League warning

Tottenham Hotspur’s Europa League campaign continues as they prepare for a crucial Round of 16 clash against AZ Alkmaar. With their Premier League struggles keeping them in the bottom half of the table and domestic cup exits sealing their fate, winning the Europa League represents their only realistic path back to the Champions League.

Memories of their previous meeting with AZ Alkmaar remain fresh, and Spurs will look to replicate that success as they aim for European glory.

Before Tottenham can think about the final, they must first overcome an AZ Alkmaar side that has proven to be a formidable opponent. Their previous encounter in the league phase of the competition ended in a hard-fought 1-0 victory for Spurs, with Richarlison’s penalty making the difference.

Ange Postecoglou made significant changes to his starting XI for that match, opting for Fraser Forster in goal, a central defensive partnership of Ben Davies and Radu Dragusin, Destiny Udogie at right-back, and Archie Gray filling in at left-back.

In midfield, Rodrigo Bentancur, James Maddison, and Lucas Bergvall provided creativity and stability, while Richarlison, Mikey Moore, and Timo Werner formed the attacking trio. Despite fielding a rotated squad, Spurs still controlled the game, with key players like Micky van de Ven, Cristian Romero, Dominic Solanke, and Dejan Kulusevski available on the bench.

The underlying statistics from their first meeting highlight Tottenham’s dominance. Spurs had 59% possession, generated an expected goals (xG) of 1.87 compared to AZ Alkmaar’s 0.41, and registered 16 shots, with five on target.

They also created three big chances while preventing their opponents from doing the same. Although two of those opportunities were squandered, Tottenham’s control over the game was evident. The match on October 24, 2024, remains the only time these two teams have faced each other in European competition.

AZ Alkmaar enters the fixture in excellent form, making them a serious threat despite Tottenham’s confidence. At the time of writing, the Dutch side remains unbeaten in their last five matches, securing four victories and keeping two clean sheets while scoring 12 goals.

Their most impressive result came in the Europa League play-off round, where they dismantled Galatasaray 4-1 in the first leg at home. This is the same Galatasaray side that handed Tottenham a 3-2 defeat on matchday four of the league phase, serving as a stark reminder of AZ Alkmaar’s quality and ability to produce big performances.

The upcoming clash between Tottenham and AZ Alkmaar is set to take place on March 6, 2025. This crucial fixture comes just eight days after Spurs’ highly anticipated showdown against Manchester City and only four days following AZ Alkmaar’s match against SC Heerenveen. With both teams having limited recovery time, squad rotation and fitness will play a crucial role in determining the outcome.

Tottenham will take encouragement from the return of key players from injury, providing Postecoglou with more options to field his strongest lineup. Their defensive solidity, coupled with the attacking firepower at their disposal, gives them an edge.

However, AZ Alkmaar has shown resilience and attacking prowess, making them more than capable of causing an upset. Their recent run of form, combined with their ability to exploit defensive vulnerabilities, presents a real challenge for Spurs.

Postecoglou’s tactical approach will be under scrutiny, as he must balance squad rotation with maintaining a competitive lineup. With Tottenham’s struggles in domestic competitions, this Europa League campaign carries immense significance for the club.

The pressure to succeed is high, and every decision—from team selection to in-game adjustments—will play a crucial role in determining Tottenham’s fate in the tournament.

The match presents an opportunity for Tottenham to reaffirm their European ambitions and take a decisive step towards silverware. The previous meeting against AZ Alkmaar demonstrated Spurs’ ability to control the game, but this time, the stakes are even higher.

Tottenham must capitalize on their strengths while staying vigilant against an opponent that has already proven its quality in the competition. With a place in the quarter-finals on the line, both teams will be determined to make their mark, setting the stage for an intense and closely contested battle.