Tottenham vs AZ Alkmaar: A Battle for European Survival
UEFA Europa League
Tottenham
AZ AlkmaarTottenham Hotspur find themselves in a precarious position as they prepare to host AZ Alkmaar in the crucial second leg of their Europa League round of 16 tie. Trailing 1-0 from the first leg, Spurs must overcome the Dutch side at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium to keep their European dreams alive.
The Tottenham vs AZ Alkmaar clash represents a significant challenge for Ange Postecoglou’s men, who have struggled with consistency throughout the season. Despite their impressive home record in European competitions, the North London outfit cannot afford to underestimate their opponents who have shown remarkable resilience in continental fixtures.
📅 Thursday’s Europa League Second Leg Fixtures: High-Stakes Battles Await! 🏆🔥#UEL #EuropaLeague pic.twitter.com/4VWqJPhPwu
— Match Spoots (@matchspoots) March 12, 2025
Historical Context of Tottenham vs AZ Alkmaar
Tottenham’s European pedigree is undeniable, having scored more goals (332) than any other team in UEFA Cup/Europa League history. Their home form in the competition has been particularly impressive, winning eight of their last nine Europa League matches at their stadium while keeping clean sheets in eight of those games.
However, recent history in this stage of the competition doesn’t favor the London side. Spurs have lost their last three Europa League round of 16 ties and haven’t reached the quarter-finals since the 2012/13 season.
AZ Alkmaar’s Challenge
AZ Alkmaar enter this fixture with confidence despite their poor record on English soil, having lost all nine previous away matches against English teams. The Dutch side has been in excellent form recently, losing just one of their last nine matches across all competitions.
Their defensive organization proved effective in the first leg, and they’ll be looking to exploit any nervousness in the Tottenham ranks as the pressure mounts on the home side.
Key Tactical Battles in Tottenham vs AZ Alkmaar
Postecoglou’s attacking philosophy will be tested against AZ’s disciplined defensive setup. Tottenham must find the right balance between their offensive ambitions and defensive responsibilities, as conceding an away goal would significantly complicate their task.
The midfield battle will be crucial, with Tottenham needing to control possession while remaining vigilant against AZ’s counter-attacking threat. The Dutch side’s ability to transition quickly from defense to attack could prove decisive if Spurs commit too many players forward.
Tottenham vs AZ Alkmaar: Prediction
While Tottenham possess the individual quality to overturn the deficit, their defensive vulnerabilities could be exposed by an AZ side with nothing to lose. Expect a high-scoring affair with both teams finding the net, but Tottenham’s home advantage might just see them through in a tense encounter.
The Tottenham vs AZ Alkmaar showdown promises to be a fascinating tactical battle that could go either way, with European progression hanging in the balance.
FAQs About Tottenham vs AZ Alkmaar
When and where is the Tottenham vs AZ Alkmaar match taking place?
The match will be played on Thursday, March 13th, 2025, at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium with kickoff at 8:00pm UK time.
How can I watch the Tottenham vs AZ Alkmaar match?
In the UK, the match will be broadcast on TNT Sports and can be streamed on discovery+. US viewers can stream the match on Paramount+.
What is the aggregate score heading into this match?
AZ Alkmaar lead 1-0 from the first leg in the Netherlands.
What is Tottenham’s record against Dutch teams in European competitions?
Tottenham have won four and lost three of their previous seven UEFA two-legged ties against Dutch teams.
Has AZ Alkmaar ever won at an English team’s stadium in European competition?
No, AZ have lost all nine of their previous UEFA competition away matches against English teams.
