Tottenham Hotspur endured a bad day at the office as they fell to a 1-0 defeat to AZ in their Europa League last-16 first leg in the Netherlands.
Lucas Bergvall’s unfortunate own goal ended up being the difference the two sides, with Spurs unable to trouble the hosts thereafter.
In the 18th minute, a corner kick was swung in deep, and former Tottenham forward Troy Parrott flicked it back towards goal.
Bergvall attempted to clear, but connected poorly and ended up miskicking the ball into the back of his own net.
Tottenham couldn’t recover from this setback, going on to register just one effort on target all game as Bergvall appeared apologetic after the match.
To make things worse, Spurs striker Dominic Solanke was then forced to come off after a collision with the AZ goalkeeper.
Ange Postecoglou, speaking to the press after the Europa League match, provided an update on the Tottenham forward.
Dominic Solanke knock appears to be ‘nothing too serious’
Despite Solanke appearing to be visibly in pain after suffering the blow on the pitch, Postecoglou had a positive update in that it appears to be a knock.
Although Postecoglou suggested it’s too early to fully determine the extend of the knock, he didn’t seem too worried about what had happened to Solanke.
“I haven’t seen him yet, but it looks like it was just a knock, so hopefully nothing too serious,” he told the Tottenham website.
Postecoglou also told TNT Sports: “We think it’s a knock, so hopefully nothing too bad. He’s a bit sore.”
What happened to Dominic Solanke in AZ match
Solanke was back in the Tottenham squad for the trip to AZ after having missed the last two months with a knee injury.
The England ace began the match on the bench and was brought on in the 72nd minute as Spurs looked to get back into the game.
However, Solanke fell to the ground after being involved in a collision with AZ goalkeeper Rome-Jayden Owusu-Oduro.
The collision came as both players jumped for a late cross whipped into the home side’s box.
Solanke fell to the ground and began hitting the turf, suggesting he was in pain and sparking concerns over another injury lay-off.
The England international lasted 20 minutes as Dane Scarlett took his place for the latter stages of the match.
However, Postecoglou’s initial update on Solanke seems positive and hopefully, once more checks are done, it turns out to be nothing major.
Tottenham are next in action this Sunday when they host Bournemouth in a 2pm GMT kick-off in the Premier League.
Spurs then play the second leg of their Europa League last-16 tie against AZ on Thursday 13 March (8pm kick-off) at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.