2 days ago
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TOTTENHAM fans were left raging after a free-kick routine from the training ground failed in disastrous fashion.
Spurs suffered a shocking 18th defeat of the season last night, losing to AZ Alkmaar 1-0 in their Europa League last-16 first leg tie.
https://twitter.com/MrBlackFootball/status/1897715140864492029
TNT SPORTS
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TNT SPORTSThe Dutch side went ahead via a comical own goal by Lucas Bergvall and things soon got worse for Ange Postecoglou’s men as they chased an equaliser.
Towards the end of a frustrating first-half, Spurs won a free-kick just outside the box.
Most expected a shot given James Maddison‘s set-piece ability, but he instead passed short to Son Heung-min.
But the pre-rehearsed routine went horribly wrong as Son’s lay back to Maddison went behind him.
AZ players swarmed the captain and he passed back to Kevin Danso, who then booted the ball out of play to ironic cheers from the home support.
It left fans fuming, with one saying: “Dock them a weeks wages. Now.”
Another added: “This kind of summed our season up.”
TNT Sports commentator Adam Summerton called it “a real waste”.
Postecoglou slammed last night’s performance, saying: “It was not a great night for us. We were too passive, not aggressive enough and nowhere near the level we should be at.
“That’s what we will have to address. It is a disappointing result – but a really disappointing performance.
“We didn’t get to grips with any part of the game. We struggled to gain any momentum with the ball.
“It was a tricky surface but we knew that from yesterday and just didn’t tackle the challenges we had out there.
“I don’t think it’s a matter of effort or attitude. I don’t think it is going out there and not trying.
“But we didn’t really have the right mindset to tackle an away fixture in Europe.”
Spurs legend Les Ferdinand said he would not have used the turf as an excuse, telling TNT Sports: “I am not sure I would have blamed the pitch. AZ played alright on it.”
Son was also unhappy with the display, saying: “This was nowhere near the level we should be in terms of performance.
“This is very disappointing, including from myself, and a big wake-up call ahead of the biggest game of our season next week.
“It is tough playing away from home in the Europa League. We were sloppy and not performing how we should.
“Everyone is disappointed and we have to look at ourselves. No excuses and it was nowhere near good enough. But it is just 1-0 and the tie is not finished.
“Next week we have to be much better than tonight.”
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