Tottenham Hotspur kept their Europa League dreams alive with a scintillating 3-1 victory over AZ Alkmaar, securing a 3-2 aggregate win and setting up a quarterfinal showdown with Eintracht Frankfurt.
Wilson Odobert: The Hero of the Night
French attacker Wilson Odobert stole the spotlight with two well-taken goals, including the decisive third strike that sealed the win for Spurs.
His heroics were matched by impressive performances from James Maddison, Son Heung-Min, and Micky van de Ven.
Ange Postecoglou’s Tactical Masterclass
Tottenham’s manager Ange Postecoglou rang the changes after a dismal first-leg display, and his team responded with a renewed sense of purpose.
ALSO READ: Liverpool’s Champions League Exit: A Missed Opportunity or a Valuable Lesson?
The Australian tactician’s second-season trophy prophecy remains on track, but he will be aware that sterner tests lie ahead.
Defensive Frailties Remain a Concern
Despite the win, Spurs’ defensive vulnerabilities were exposed once again, with AZ Alkmaar’s Peer Koopmeiners capitalizing on a rearguard error to level the tie on aggregate.
Postecoglou will need to address these issues to ensure his team’s Europa League campaign extends beyond the quarterfinals.
Quarterfinal Showdown with Eintracht Frankfurt Awaits
Tottenham’s reward for their comeback win is a quarterfinal tie with Eintracht Frankfurt, with the possibility of a semifinal showdown with Bodo/Glimt or Lazio looming large.
With their Europa League hopes revived, Spurs will be eager to build momentum and make a deep run in the competition.
