Tottenham Hotspur

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Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou, speaking to TNT Sports: "Not a great night for us. Obviously, it's a disappointing result but a really disappointing performance.

"We never got a grip on the game, never really got control at any stage. We were always struggling both on and off the ball. It wasn't a great night, but it's only halfway and we're still in the tie.

"It was a tricky pitch and we didn't really handle it really well. Aside from that, we just weren't aggressive enough and we were way too passive in terms of the way we pressed.

"Too many times we were just circulating the ball without any real intent to hurt them. No fault for the goal, it happens. It's more about the collective tonight rather than the individuals.

"Collectively, we were nowhere near the level we needed to be and that's the thing we need to address."

Emlyn Begley
BBC Sport journalist

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One of the soundbites of Spurs' campaign has been Ange Postecoglou's quote in September that he always wins a trophy in his second season with a team - a claim that is mostly accurate.

But Spurs will have to improve - starting with actually creating some good chances - next week if he is to have a chance of continuing that run.

The Europa League is Spurs' last chance of silverware this season. Fail to win the second leg and they will probably not even be in Europe next season, given they are currently 13th in the Premier League.

AZ, who are sixth in the Dutch Eredivisie, were deserved victors and could have won by more.

Their biggest chance to score a goal themselves came when Troy Parrott, who left Spurs for £6.7m in the summer, was sent through on goal but denied by the foot of Vicario.

Lucas Bergvall was unfortunate to score the own goal when Parrott played a ball across and the Tottenham midfielder badly sliced his clearance which Djed Spence was unable to head off the line.

Spurs' only registered shot on target was probably not even a shot - with Wilson Odobert's cross palmed away.

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Tottenham captain Son Heung-min, speaking to TNT Sports: "It's nowhere near where we should perform. It was very disappointing that we performed like this, including me. It's a big wake up call because next week is the biggest game of the season.

"I really don't think there was too much caution. It's always tough to play away in the Europa League. We didn't create anything in the first half, sloppiness, not performing the way we should.

"Everyone is very disappointed about the individual performance and the team performance, we have to look at ourselves. There is no excuses, we were not good enough. It's just 1-0, it's still not finished, and next week we have to be much better."

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There are two matches involving Premier League clubs on Thursday and BBC Sport will bring you all the action.

• AZ Alkmaar v Tottenham

• FCSB v Lyon

• Fenerbache v Rangers

• Real Sociedad v Man Utd - Listen to live commentary on Radio 5 Live

Kick-off times: 17:45 GMT

• Ajax v Frankfurt

• Bodo/Glimt v Olympiakos

• Roma v Athletic Bilbao

• Viktoria Plzen v Lazio

Kick-off times: 20:00 GMT

Follow all of the action and reaction here

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AZ Alkmaar forward Troy Parrott says he has no regrets about leaving Tottenham and that it is business as usual when the two sides meet again in the Europa League.

Spurs face the Dutch side on Thursday for the first leg of their last-16 tie.

Parrott said: "For me, it just didn't happen [at Spurs]. I'm OK with that.

"I'm really enjoying myself here. I love life over here. Now I'm just focusing on where I am right now and trying to progress and keep getting better here.

"I look back with a smile. It's a place where I grew up.

"It helped me become the person and player I am now, so I can only look back on that with good memories.

"I think it was just the right time for both of us to move on. When I look back, I just think about the good times I had growing up there."

Tottenham may offload Mali international Yves Bissouma, 28, in the summer as they seek to refresh their midfield options. (Football Insider), external

Everton would be open to a deal to re-sign Brazil striker Richarlison, 27, from Tottenham. (TBR Football), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Thursday's full gossip column

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Tottenham will be without Dejan Kulusevski when they face AZ Alkmaar in the first leg of their Europa League last-16 tie on Thursday (17:45 GMT), but manager Ange Postecoglou could have three first-team players available again after their respective injury problems.

Centre-backs Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven, as well as striker Dominic Solanke, have travelled to the Netherlands and will train with the squad on Wednesday before a decision is made on for how long the trio will feature.

"All three have been training with us and training well," Postecoglou told club media., external "I'll decide whether they get significant match minutes or not, but it's great to have them back.

"They feel good. They've been pretty frustrated not being able to help, but they're in a position where they can.

"In the last few weeks we've had [Guglielmo] Vicario, Destiny [Udogie], Wilson [Odobert] and [James] Maddison all come back and you've seen the impact they've had. I'm sure the guys coming back now will have equally as important an impact."

Spurs are aiming to win a first trophy since 2008 and Postecoglou says his players "really understand there is a great opportunity for us" in the Europa League.

"The club hasn't in recent years done well in this competition, but it's a major European competition, we're in the last 16, there's an opportunity there and we'll see how far we can go in it.

"We've got to make sure, whatever happens at the end of the game, we've still got an opportunity to go back to Tottenham and win the tie."

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When AZ Alkmaar host Tottenham on Thursday, it will pit two of the competition's highest scorers against one another.

AZ have scored 19 UEFA Europa League goals this season, with only three teams netting more while Tottenham have got 17.

Scoring goals is nothing new for Ange Postecoglou's team. After all, they have the joint second-highest total for goals in Premier League too with 53, alongside Manchester City. Only Liverpool (66) have scored more.

Spurs have been leaky at the back because of injuries all season and AZ conceded 13 goals during the league phase - that is the highest of any team remaining in the competition.

Fair to expect goals in both legs of this last-16 tie.

Tottenham Hotspur supporter Chris Cowlin believes Spurs have a "great opportunity to go far" and potentially win the Europa League at the end of the season.

"We must go far in this competition," Cowlin told The Football News Show before the last-16 tie with Dutch club AZ Alkmaar. "This is a great opportunity to go and lift the trophy.

"The next round will be very difficult - if we get past AZ, it's Ajax or Frankfurt. There are never easy games in any European competition, especially away from home."

Watch the Football News Show on BBC iPlayer

Tottenham believe they are in the driving seat to sign English midfielder Tyler Dibling, 19, who is unhappy with the new contract offered by Southampton. (Talksport), external

Borussia Dortmund are preparing for the departure of English winger Jamie Gittens, 20, with Spurs, Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United all interested. (Sky Germany - in German), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Wednesday's full gossip column

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Professor Rob Wilson, a football finance expert, speaks to the BBC's latest episode of The Football News Show about the importance of progression to the latter stages of this season's Europa League for Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur.

If either club should win the competition, they would qualify for next season's Champions League.

Watch the Football News Show on BBC iPlayer

Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport football news reporter

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Tottenham forward Dejan Kulusevski has posted a picture of himself, external holding a baby on his Instagram.

But, the post also shows him to have a protective boot on his left foot, amid reports that he will have a scan over a fresh injury concern.

Manager Ange Postecoglou will no doubt be pleased if his star man is happy off the field but it will also be a concern if he is out for any longer period of time.

Especially as the Europa League restarts on Thursday with a trip to face AZ Alkmaar in the Netherlands. The competition is effectively Spurs' last chance of winning a trophy while also offering a route Champions League qualification if they win the tournament.

Tottenham, Manchester United and Arsenal have expressed an interest in signing Benjamin Sesko from RB Leipzig, and the 21-year-old Slovenia striker has a release clause worth 80m euros (£66m) that can be activated this summer. (Sky Sport Germany, external)

Want more transfer stories? Read Tuesday's full gossip column

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Tottenham defender Cristian Romero has been selected in Argentina's preliminary squad for their World Cup qualifiers against Uruguay and Brazil in March. despite not having featured for the Premier League club since December.

Romero's last competitive appearance came in Spurs' 4-3 derby loss to Chelsea on 8 December, which he limped out of with a groin injury.

Just last week Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou described Romero's recovery as a "slow-burner", explaining that he, Micky van de Ven and Dominic Solanke are closer to making a comeback.

The Tottenham boss has ruled out the trio for the side's trip to the Netherlands this Thursday where they will face AZ Alkmaar in the Europa League last 16.

However, they may be available to feature against Bournemouth on Sunday or the return leg against AZ Alkmaar next week.

Tottenham are set to pass on their £8.5m option to buy Timo Werner this summer after the forward's loan move from RB Leipzig. (Mirror), external

Spurs have joined Brighton among the many clubs interested in signing Romania right-back Andrei Ratiu, 26, from Rayo Vallecano. (Mundo Deportivo - in Spanish), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Monday's full gossip column

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Tottenham's Jamie Donley is delighted with his "successful loan" spell so far at League One Leyton Orient.

The 20-year-old attacking midfielder has scored six goals and assisted five more in 26 league appearances for Orient this season, with Richie Wellens' side currently occupying sixth place and the final play-off position.

"I want to play in these games," he told BBC Radio London. "I want to show everyone what I can do.

"People say to go out and explore men's football instead of just playing under-21s football and now I'm at this stage, I'm glad I've gone and done that. I've obviously had the down moment in my career where I wasn't playing and getting in the squad but I've come out of the other side.

"Now I'm doing well - I'm playing lots of minutes and it's coming out as a successful loan for me.

"Coming from Tottenham, everyone expects you to be this amazing player and just to hit the ground running straight away but it's not that easy coming as my first loan into men's football.

"The gaffer always told me he knows the quality I have and it's just about showing that. Luckily, I've shown that over the last few months."

Donley's most high-profile moment this season came when his 50-yard shot cannoned off the bar and into the net via goalkeeper Stefan Ortega during the eventual 2-1 loss to Manchester City in the FA Cup fourth round.

"Having that moment against Man City shows I can do it and I can perform against these teams," he added on the goal. "I'll see what happens next season.

"It's been quite an experience getting the attention. It's nice to get it but it doesn't really affect me and I keep on doing what I'm doing. It's obviously a really special moment for me and the club. The support we had that day was unbelievable."