Tottenham is on the verge of becoming a military officer. 'Captain' Son Heung-min did not prevent his team's defeat, playing its worst game.
Tottenham lost 0-1 in the first round of the Europa League (UEL) round of 16 of the 2024-2025 season against AZ Alkmaar at the Alkmaar AFAS Stadium in the Netherlands on the 7th (Korea time). Even the Europa League, which was the last chance to break the military ties, was at the crossroads of elimination. Tottenham remain 13th in the league this season and have been eliminated in both the FA Cup and the League Cup. Tottenham can reach the quarterfinals only if they win the second game at home on the 14th.
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| Photo capture=Tottenham SNS |
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Son started on the left wing. Standing on the three-top with Matisse Tell and Brennan Johnson. James Medicine, Rodrigo Bentancourt and Lucas Beribal stepped up in the waistline. Destiny Udogi-Archie Gray-Kevin Danso-Jed Spence made the four-back. The goalkeeper's gloves were worn by Guglielmo Vicario.
Alkmaar also fought back 4-3-3. Lado-Troy Parrott-Ernest Poku made the three-top. Peer Kopmeiners-Zico Burmister-Yordi Clash was located in the midfield. David Möller Olpe-Alexandr Penetra-Bauter Hos-Maikuma Seiya made up the four-back. The goal was scored by Rom Jaden Ousu-Oduro.
It was a rough match. Christian Romero, Mickey van der Pen and Dominic Solanke, who had been suffering from injuries for a long time, returned to Tottenham ahead of the upcoming match. On top of that, he got time to prepare for the game for a week after the match against Manchester City on the 27th of last month.
Moreover, Tottenham already has a memory of catching Alkmaar once. He won the league phase game 1-0 in October last year. Afterwards, Tottenham went straight to the tournament in fourth place in the league phase, and Alkmaar, who finished 19th, made it to the finals through the round of 16 play-offs.
However, contrary to expectations, Tottenham showed the worst performance, recording only one effective shot. In terms of possession, he had an absolute advantage of 60-40, but failed to show a good attack. To make matters worse, Lucas Beribal failed to handle the ball properly in the 18th minute of the first half in a corner kick situation and even scored an own goal. This goal became the winning goal as it was. Tottenham played the worst game ever, with Solanke, who had returned from injury, collapsing again.
Son Heung-min was also sluggish. Son Heung-min played 72 minutes on the day and attempted a total of 43 touches. Three shots were fired, but there was no shot on target. He made 32 passes and recorded an 81.3% pass success rate, and none of the key passes were recorded. Instead, Cross tried twice and made one. The dribble was a success. On defense, he recorded two ground-level hurl successes and one tackle success.
HuscoordCom gave it a rating of 6.20. It was the fourth lowest number in the team. SofaScore scored 6.6, the third-lowest rating in the team. Foot mob also gave the third-lowest score of 6.3. In general, Tel and Veribal received lower ratings than Son Heung-min.
The British media was even more critical. The Daily Express gave the lowest rating of 3 with Medicine. The Daily Express said 'It's not the first time this season, but Son Heung-min appeared isolated himself from the attack. I moved to the center where I played on the side at first, but this didn't make much difference. In the end, he was replaced out for the equalizer.
The Evening Standard, along with Medicine, Tel, and Johnson, also scored four points at the bottom. This medium played with its back in most situations when it needed momentum and creativity in terms of '. He said he had difficulty making an impact.
There was no room for Football London, which usually gives Son a poor evaluation. It gave all three of the worst points to the three-top. Football London devalued the Tottenham captain as having failed to make an impact on either the left wing or the front line.
There was a dizzying scene from the beginning of the first half. Beribal kicked Rado's ankle in the process of kicking the ball. Fortunately, he avoided leaving. He faced a 10-minute crisis in the first half. In the counterattack, Poku pushed forward and attempted a left-footed shot. Slightly missed the goal.
Tottenham also fought back. In the 15th minute, Son Heung-min opened the door. Son Heung-min, who caught the ball near the midfield, attempted a powerful left-footed mid-range shot as the space opened up in front of him. However, he came out after being hit by Alkmaar's defense.
Alkmaar scored the opening goal in the 18th minute. Parrott connected with a shot in a corner kick situation. It didn't fit properly. Beribal tried to clear it, but rather floated high and headed into the goal. It was an own goal. Tottenham were dragged away with an ill-fated blow.
Tottenham then went on aggressively for the equaliser, but failed to produce a significant scene. In the 31st minute, he was hit by a dangerous counterattack. The back space was completely breached and gave Parrott a one-on-one chance. Parrott tried to shoot between Vicario's goalkeeper legs, but Vicario blocked it well.
Tottenham also aimed to score. 34 min Got a free kick chance in a good position in front of the box. Son Heung-min, who received Medicine's pass, missed the opportunity due to a disappointing control miss. In the 38th minute, Son Heung-min started. I tried a long pass on the left side, and Spence dropped it with his head. Johnson finished with a left footed shot, but it didn't go to the goal.
Tottenham are in crisis again. The ball was put into the box in the 42nd minute, and Alkmaar's attack team attempted several shots while tangled with Tottenham's defense. Tottenham blocked it with a hand-to-hand defense. Beribal's crucial defense stood out.
Two minutes of extra time were given, and no more goals were scored.
Tottenham made a change at the start of the second half. He put Wilson O'Dober out of Tell, who was sluggish. As Odover came in, Son Heung-min moved to the front line.
In the 6th minute, Son Heung-min fired a conversion shot. Son Heung-min, who caught the ball from the left, hit the center and connected with a right foot shot. Unfortunately, however, he missed the post. It was the most threatening scene made by Son Heung-min on this day.
8 min Tottenham are in crisis again. Poku, who faced a no-mark chance in the box, attempted a low and fast shot. The Vicario goalkeeper saved it nicely.
23 min Tottenham got a free kick in a good position but was blocked by a defensive wall. Tottenham have chosen to change again. In the 27th minute, Son Heung-min, Madison, and U Do-ki were excluded, and Solanke, Papesar, and Pedro Poros were put in. But despite the changes, Tottenham still played a frustrating game. Rather, he struggled with Alkmaar's counterattack.
43 min Tottenham created a decisive opportunity. O'Dober, who caught the ball on the right side, hit a powerful right-footed shot in front of the defense. He was blocked by the opponent's goalkeeper.
In extra time, Tottenham cried at the bad news of Solanke's return from injury falling again. Tottenham had to taste the bitterness of a 0-1 defeat shortly before the end, with even Odobert's header crossing the post.
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
