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Tottenham vs AZ Alkmaar: Key Battles | Europa League

Originally posted on To The Lane And Back
By Jainil Shah | Last updated Mar 13, 2025 10:00 AM ET

It’s a game that could decide their season and the fates of many employed by the club as Tottenham Hotspur face AZ Alkmaar in the round of 16 tie of the Europa League, and the Premier League heavyweights go into the game on the back foot given the thunderous performance by their opponents tonight last week, where they outmaneuvered the North Londoners in almost all phases of the game. The Lilywhites and Ange Postecoglou would be relieved that they go into the game with only one-goal deficit, given how all over the place they looked in the first leg of the tie last week, but it was down to some poor finishing that Spurs are still breathing in UEL.

We saw AZ Alkmaar not only press Spurs out of the game but also ensure that their passing sequences broke the North Londoners’ press quite easily, and they are faced with a back-stomping player in the final third and exploit the space that it brings with it.

But despite all the good that the Dutch side did last week, the sole goal of the game came from an own goal when Lucas Bergvall pushed it past Vicario.

That being said, Tottenham supporters would be hopeful of a thunderous performance at N17 later today, and there are some key battles on the pitch that could end up deciding the fate of the game. Let’s take a look at them:

Cristian Romero vs Troy Parrott

The Tottenham academy graduate has been on a mission this tie; he has been a physical presence up front and has given lots of trouble to the North Londoners’ defence and midfield (when dropping in) in the first leg, and he would again want to be a menace that frustrates the Lilywhites back line. But this time around, Postecoglou has Romero, a no-nonsense defender who is not afraid to walk into these duels and dominate them. The Argentine may end up giving some fouls in key areas if he tries to overdo it, but you could expect a series of fierce duels between the two.

Given that Romero is only returning from injury and, as we saw against Bournemouth, he is still rusty, Parrott may try to take advantage of that.

Lucas Bergvall vs Peer Koopmeiners

The Swedish teenager had a good game in the first leg despite that own goal; he was running and entering into duels, trying to win the ball back and lead the press from the midfield. He was much better than the veteran presence of Heung-Min Son and James Maddison in the first leg, and he would be looking to build on that later today. But he will be rubbing shoulders with Peer Koopmeiners. The latter is not afraid to walk into tackles and interceptions from the base of the midfield, but he is also a difficult player to mark (which should be tricky for Bergvall).

Koopmeiners is good at playing short and long balls and understanding space and how to exploit it from the base of the midfield, and this is where the visitors can try to dominate in the second phase. Bergvall will have to ensure that he doesn’t give a lot of time to the 24-year-old on the ball and try to be close to him out of possession.

Dominic Solanke vs Wouter Goes

The final one is Dominic Solanke. The former Chelsea striker would be looking to be a physical menace upfront and ensure that he holds the ball by dropping deep to create space for the midfielders and wingers but also be a lethal poacher presence when the ball comes into the final third, and we have seen him play this complex role multiple times at N17, but it won’t be that easy. Solanke will be rubbing shoulders with 187 cm physical presence in Wouter Goes, who would like to ensure that he gives the England international a tough time and doesn’t let him settle on the ball.

We all know how good Solanke is, but can he fire Tottenham home tonight?

This article first appeared on To The Lane And Back and was syndicated with permission.

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