Son Ausente: Tottenham's Challenge Against AZ Alkmaar
Tottenham Hotspur face a crucial test on Thursday night as they welcome AZ Alkmaar to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in the UEFA Europa Conference League. This match comes at a time when Spurs are struggling to find consistency, with their star forward Son Heung-min absent due to injury.
The absence of Son, who has been a vital player for Tottenham in recent seasons, is a significant blow for manager Ange Postecoglou. Son's pace, dribbling ability, and goalscoring prowess have been missed in recent games, as Tottenham have struggled to break down defenses.
AZ Alkmaar, on the other hand, are a formidable opponent who have impressed in the early stages of the Europa Conference League. The Dutch side have a strong attacking force, spearheaded by the likes of Jesper Karlsson and Vangelis Pavlidis.
Tottenham will need to find a way to overcome Son's absence and secure a victory against AZ Alkmaar if they want to make a strong start in Group A. Here are some key factors that could decide the outcome of this match:
Key Factors for Tottenham's Success
1. Finding a Replacement for Son: Postecoglou will need to find a suitable replacement for Son's attacking threat. The likes of Richarlison, Dejan Kulusevski, and Manor Solomon will be vying for a starting spot, and their performance will be crucial to Tottenham's success.
2. Controlling the Midfield: Tottenham's midfield will need to be dominant if they want to dictate the tempo of the match. Yves Bissouma and James Maddison will need to control possession, break up attacks, and provide creative support to the attackers.
3. Defensive Solidity: Tottenham's defense has been shaky at times this season. They need to be organized, disciplined, and focused on limiting AZ Alkmaar's attacking threat.
4. Capitalizing on Set Pieces: Set pieces can be a major source of goals in European competition. Tottenham will need to be clinical in their set-piece delivery and defend effectively against AZ Alkmaar's aerial threat.
A Difficult Test Awaits
Son's absence adds an extra layer of difficulty to Tottenham's challenge. They will need to perform at their best to secure a victory against a talented AZ Alkmaar side.
The match promises to be an exciting and unpredictable affair. With both teams boasting attacking talent, it could be a high-scoring encounter. However, Tottenham will need to be defensively sound and find a way to unlock AZ Alkmaar's defense if they want to claim all three points.