Tottenham boss, Ange Postcoglou, admits that his team was “far from the level” during the 1-0 defeat against Az Alkmaar.
The result leaves their future in the Europa League suspended in the scale, despite several key players who come back from injuries.
Cristian Romero and Micky Van de Ven were unused substitutes in the match, while Dominic Solanke came for the last section before taking another blow.
It was a flat performance all over the field for visitors, especially Captain Heung-Min Son and James Maddison.
Postcoglou’s assessment was that “it was not great”, but his team must regroup for the return leg next week.
Speaking after the match, he said: “We will analyze him and take a look at the domains with which we had trouble, but it is fair to say that it was far from the level he had to be.
“It was not great about us tonight. About all the facets of the game. We did not really reach part of the game. We had trouble taking momentum with the ball, we were not as aggressive as we had to be without the ball.
“I don’t think it’s a question of effort or attitude. I don’t think it’s going there and not trying, but, as I said, we didn’t really come to the grip and we have the right mentality to tackle an outside match in Europe.
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The Spurs skipper, Heung-Min, speaks after the defeat of his team in Alkmaar, and says that his team is their “big alarm clock” before the 2nd stage next week.
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“It is always difficult and we obviously conceded the objective, which was a disappointing set of events, but even after that, we did not really settle in the game.
“You are going to face some pressure when you play far from you in Europe and travel the storm and get along with it, but we have never really done it, it was a disappointment.
“We must be much more aggressive than us. We just miss a little assault in everything we have done. We were a little hesitant with the ball, hesitating in our pressing and we cannot be so. »»
His echoed the words of his manager, despite the creation of chances of zero, having no blows on the target and not completing any dribbling in the match.
He added: “He is far from where we should play. It was very disappointing that we played like that, including me. It is a big call for alarm clock because next week is the biggest game of the season.
“I really don’t think there was too much caution. It is always difficult to play in the Europa League. We have not created anything in the first half, negligence, and do not do the way we should.
“Everyone is very disappointed with the individual performance and the performance of the team, we have to look at each other. There are no excuses, we were not good enough. It’s just 1-0, it’s still not over, and next week we have to be much better. »»
