UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE
(Matchday 3)
THURSDAY 24TH OCTOBER, 2024
8pm
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 1(0) AZ ALKMAAR 0(0)
Scorer:-
Richarlison (pen), 53
Attendance:- 53,438
Referee:- Manfredas Lukjancukas LTU
Assistants:- Mangirdas Mirauskas LTU, Vytenis Kazlauskas LTU
Fourth official:- Mindaugas Jackus LTU
VAR:- Soren Storks GER
Assistant VAR:- Fedayi San SUI
Teams:-
Spurs (4-3-3):- 20. Forster; 14. Gray, 6. Dragusin, 33. Davies, 13. Udogie; 15. Bergvall (sub 21. Kulusevski, 73), 30. Bentancur, 10. Maddison (Capt.) (sub 29. Sarr, 73); 47. Moore (sub 28. Odobert, 88), 9. Richarlison (sub 19. Solanke, 64), 16. Werner (sub 22. Johnson, 46)
(Armband to Davies)
Subs not used:- 1. Vicario, 40. Austin (Gks); 23. Pedro Porro, 17. Romero, 37. Van de Ven; 8. Bissouma; 42. Lankshear
No bookings
AZ Alkmaar (4-3-3):- 1. Owusu-Oduro; 16. Maikuma (sub 23. Lahdo, 66), 5. Penetra, 22. Dekker (sub 35. Meerdink, 84), 18. Moller Wolfe; 8. Clasie (Capt.), 10. Mijnans (sub 33. Kwakman, 90), 14. Belic (sub 6. Koopmeiners, 46); 21. Poku, 9. Parrott, 7. Van Bommel (sub 30. Kasius, 12)
Subs not used:- 12. Verhulst, 41. Zoet (Gks); 51. Berkhout; 17. Addai, 34. De Wit
Booked:- Wolfe (foul on Maddison), Dekker (foul on Sarr), Kwakman (foul on Johnson), Clasie
Sent off:- Moller Wolfe (85 mins) for second yellow - foul on Johnson
Plan B works - just!
Ange Postecoglou made a bold, confident team selection for the visit of AZ Alkmaar with 9 changes to the starting line-up following last Saturday's London Derby win over West Ham. Only James Maddison (wearing the captain's armband) and Destiny Udogie survived of Saturday's eleven. The "B" team succeeded - just!
Fraser Forster made his second appearance of the season and was required to make several good saves. 17-year-old Mikey Moore made his second senior start (having also started in our last Europa League game against Ferencvaros), and when he switched to the left for the second half, dazzled with some fine wing wizardry. Mikey was regaled as "one of our own" and heartily applauded when he was replaced late on by the returning Wilson Odobert.
Richarlison was given his first start of the season, and after "discussion" with Maddison, he was awarded the honour of taking Spurs' decisive penalty kick. He too was warmly applauded when replaced by Solanke.
Ange had announced that Son would not be involved in this game, but hopefully he will join other rested players such as Vicario, Pedro Porro, Romero, Van de Ven and Bissouma for Sunday's game against Crystal Palace.
The performance and narrow win was not convincing, but there were enough bright moments, such as Forster's saves, good defensive interventions, and young Mikey on the wing to send the fans home happy. Spurs have won three out of three Europa League games and sit in the top three with two other one hundred percenters Lazio and Anderlecht.
Former Spur Troy Parrott featured for AZ, who were watched by some 1300 travelling fans in the north-east corner.
Once again, the game was preceded by a light show and a little "Born Slippy" by Underworld.
Mikey Moore missed a good early chance when Bentancur fed Werner who sent in a decent cross met by Moore at the back post. The cross was one of few good moments from Werner who was replaced at half-time by Johnson.
Alkmaar's Van Bommel required early treatment and walked off, to be replaced by Kasius. Maddison had one shot blocked and his second attempt was easy for goalkeeper Owusu-Oduro. Bentancur was active up and down the middle and Richarlison had the ball in the net after a Bentancur win, but he was called for a foul.
Substitute Kasius offered danger with a cross from the right, but the ball went out of play beyond Forster's goal. AZ often threatened on the break and tested Forster in the first half more than Spurs did the AZ keeper.
Lucas Bergvall sent a good pass to Werner, who came inside but hit a tame right-footed shot. Werner's halcyon scoring days of 2019/20 with Leipzig are long gone. Pace is his only forte now.
AZ threatened again after a corner when Forster dived to his left and saved a header by Penetra. At the other end, Maddison went down in the box after Penetra's challenge. Lithuanian referee Manfredas Lukjancukas gave nothing, and a somewhat lengthy VAR check supported his decision.
Richarlison broke through and fed the ball to Werner, but the German once again failed to capitalise. Werner failed with a pass in the AZ half and Parrott sent Kasius away. Forster was out to the edge of his area to block the threat.
During the half-time interval, Steve Perryman and Spurs Odyssey contributor Norman Giller were interviewed by Paul Coyte regarding their new book entitled "Sir Bill." This week saw the twentieth anniversary of the passing of the great man.
Johnson took up position on the right and Mikey was soon exciting the crowd with skill and pace before passing deep to Johnson. Brennan's shot was deflected and missed its target. Bergvall was nearly the beneficiary of more Mikey excitement, but was adjudged to have committed a foul when trying to connect with the cross.
It was Bergvall who won the penalty when fouled by Dekker. Again, the referee saw no foul, but he was corrected by VAR. Ultimately, "Richie" stepped up and confidently beat the keeper, who committed early to the right, with a shot down the middle. It was Richarlison's first goal since May.
Bergvall split the defence with a pass to Johnson, who tried to reach Richarlison with his cross. The goalie was alert to the danger.
Poku was often a threat to Spurs, operating on the left and Bentancur defended well to concede a corner. After the corner, Kasius hit a right-footed shot over from distance.
Spurs had a corner after more Mikey skill on the left, but nothing came of that. Richarlison had a shot blocked after Johnson's pass but had been offside anyway. Kasius again threatened the Spurs goal, following a corner, and this time Forster had to save low. Forster will be pleased with his workout, as he was needed to keep Lahdo at bay after Spurs failed in defence.
Moore had a chance after Solanke fed him the ball, but in truth the shot was comfortable for the AZ guardian. Solanke was also the provider for Kulusevski, who hit one of his trademark shots, but that was held too.
Brennan Johnson was a target for the AZ defenders on their left and Dekker was sent off late in the game for a second bookable offence. Odobert replaced Moore and had an immediate impact with a shot charged down by the keeper. Odobert offered more excitement in added time racing into the area, but his shot passed just wide. There was a VAR check for a possible foul, but no penalty was awarded.
Our next Europa League fixture takes us to Turkey and top of their table Galatasaray, who last night beat Elfsborg 4-3. Elfsborg will be our final league stage opponents in January.
Europa League Placings (top 8 only)
Pos P W D L F-A GD Pts
Lazio 1 3 3 0 0 9-1 8 9
Spurs 2 3 3 0 0 6-1 5 9
Anderlecht 3 3 3 0 0 6-2 4 9
Ajax 4 3 2 1 0 8-1 7 7
Galatasaray 5 3 2 1 0 9-6 3 7
Frankfurt 6 3 2 1 0 7-4 3 7
Midtyjlland 7 3 2 1 0 4-1 3 7
A. Bilbao 8 3 2 1 0 4-1 3 7
