Ange Postecoglou has urged his Tottenham side to replicate the resilience that earned them a 2-2 draw against Bournemouth when they face AZ Alkmaar in a crucial Europa League tie on Thursday.
Tottenham’s recent form has been under intense scrutiny, with the team suffering a 1-0 defeat in the first leg of the Europa League last 16 against AZ on Thursday, followed by a poor performance against Bournemouth.
Despite Cristian Romero’s return from injury and some early optimism, Spurs were trailing 2-0 until a fortunate goal from Pape Sarr and a penalty from Son Heung-min saved the day.
With Tottenham struggling in mid-table in the Premier League, Postecoglou is determined to turn their fortunes around, especially ahead of the second leg against AZ Alkmaar.
“At 2-0 down, it would have been very easy for the boys to let the game slip away,” said Postecoglou. “But credit to them, they found a way to get back into it, and we got something out of it. Thursday is a massive game for us.”
Postecoglou highlighted the need for a more composed and decisive performance in their upcoming fixture, acknowledging that their carelessness with the ball could have cost them more against Bournemouth.
He also called for the fans to provide a supportive atmosphere at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, urging the crowd to help dispel any nervousness among the players.
As for the challenge on Thursday, Postecoglou said, “We need our crowd to get behind the boys and make it an atmosphere that helps reduce the anxiety. If we start strong, the crowd will get loud, which will help us.”
Tottenham now face a crucial test in their bid to advance in Europe, and Postecoglou is hoping his players will rise to the occasion.
