Given Tottenham Hotspur were behind and had not yet tested AZ goalkeeper Rome-Jayden Owusu-Oduro, a free kick from 25 yards just after the half-hour mark appeared a welcome opportunity to conjure a shot on target.
Instead, James Maddison attempted to work a routine with Son Heung-min on the edge of the box but miscued his lay-off. After awkwardly bouncing the ball between them, moving further away from goal in the process, the sequence culminated with Kevin Danso chipping a hopeful but aimless pass out of play. Audible groans echoed from the corner of AZ stadium where the travelling fans stood.
As it transpired, it was about as good an opportunity as Tottenham would create in Thursday’s 1-0 defeat.
“It wasn’t great for us tonight in pretty much all facets of the game,” Ange Postecoglou said in his post-match press conference. “We didn’t get to grips with any part of the game. We struggled to gain any momentum with the ball.
“I don’t have any doubt about their ability to break them down, but we obviously have to play a little bit differently than we did tonight. Not just with the ball; without the ball, too. It’s got to be a lot more aggressive than what we were tonight.”
For all the discussion that rages over Postecoglou’s defensive naivety, this team’s most pressing concern is their lack of spark in attack.
True, the Spurs academy graduate Troy Parrott led AZ’s attacking line with more conviction than a Tottenham striker has managed since Dominic Solanke sustained a knee injury in January — and would have put AZ 2-0 up in the first half if not for a great save from Guglielmo Vicario — but Danso and Archie Gray in central defence is a short-term stopgap.
More concerningly, Spurs registered just one shot on target in the entire game; a mishit cross from Wilson Odobert, who was aiming to hit Brennan Johnson on the far post.
Son manufactured a half chance after dribbling inside from the left wing but unleashed a wayward shot that flew high and wide of the AZ goal. In the dying embers, Odobert, yet to open his Spurs account, missed a headed opportunity. Aside from that, AZ held Spurs at arm’s length, content to sit back and let their midfielders knock the ball between them.
There were only ever glimmers of the attacking vigour Spurs could possess, mainly when Lucas Bergvall picked the ball up in his own half and drove at AZ’s defence, opening up the pitch and allowing Johnson, Son and Mathys Tel to stretch their legs.
Tel was largely tidy in possession but cut an isolated figure at the point of attack, and was substituted at half time. Still, while there’s probably enough sample size to have doubts over his ability to be Spurs’ primary striker in Solanke’s absence, it should be remembered that he is 19 and learning the position.
Besides Bergvall, the players who started alongside and behind Tel have pedigree at the highest level and must be better, particularly against a side who currently sit sixth in the Dutch Eredivisie.
Although Dejan Kulusevski’s form has dipped this year, Spurs lack a final third creator in his absence. Maddison operated in the left No 8 role and did not craft anything of note before being substituted in the 72nd minute along with Son.
Given Tottenham were chasing a result at the time, Postecoglou substituting his most experienced attacking players is an indictment of how their recent performances have not reflected their status.
Maddison has not had a consistent run as a starter since October. If Kulusevski’s absence created any positive it was the opportunity for the 28-year-old to step into his shoes and potentially force his way back into the England squad.
Anyone who has watched the Premier League since Maddison joined Leicester City is aware of his quality — only seven players have created more big chances since his debut top flight campaign in 2018-19 — but he has largely flattered to deceive since sustaining an ankle injury in the 4-1 home defeat to Chelsea in November 2023.
The onus was on him to step up in a tie which can make or break Spurs’ season, and he was largely anonymous.
With Kulusevski unlikely to return before the international break, it will fall on the same crop of attackers to step up in the second leg.
Odobert stood out in last week’s 1-0 home defeat to Manchester City largely due to his ability and drive to take on opposition defenders.
Given Johnson’s outstanding attribute this season has been the timing of his runs to convert from close range, and Son’s ability to take players on has declined in his 30s, having a player with the willingness to push the team forwards may be what Postecoglou pins his creative hopes on in the second leg.
Unfortunately, who he may be creating for is in open to doubt once again.
Just 20 minutes into his first match in almost two months, Solanke was helped off the pitch and substituted after a clash with the AZ goalkeeper.
Whether it is Tel, Son, Solanke or perhaps even Dane Scarlett, the most pressing issue is the lack of creative spark around whoever leads the line. A 1-0 deficit is far from insurmountable at home, but Postecoglou will need more from his creators to save the tie, the season — and possibly his job.
(Header photo: Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)