BBC.com

We asked for your thoughts after Thursday's Europa League game between AZ Alkmaar and Tottenham.

Here are some of your comments:

Kevin: It doesn't really matter if we do actually manage to win next week because, having watched the first half of the Ajax v Frankfurt game, there is no way that we could ever beat either of those in the next round based on the performance we displayed. Shocking.

David: Very ordinary night for Spurs. We were outfought and outplayed, and very fortunate to end up only 1-0 down. We have to be a lot better at home if we are going to progress further. I think Vicario was man of the match, which pretty much underlines how poor we were.

Joe: Think Spurs badly missed Kulusevski. Attack doesn't seem to click when he's not on the field, just as the midfield lacks creativity when Maddison isn't there. Not great given Kulusevski may be out a few weeks it seems.

Tommo: Yet another lacklustre display against a poor side. Ange really doesn't seem to have a clue at the top level and his lack of enthusiasm on the sidelines seems to transfer itself on to the players who apart from the youngsters stroll around seemingly happy with yet another defeat. Thankfully I was lucky enough to see a proper Spurs side in Europe, unlike these frauds to the shirt.

Ronnie: Dreadful. How can Postecoglou still have a job? Keeps promising they'll get better, but they only get worse.

Steve: Bergvall was unfortunate. Being totally inept until the 88th minute was ridiculous. What we're getting from the players is all the defensive frailty with none of the attacking and pressing intensity. Whose fault is that? I don't know whether the players are unable or unwilling to play his way or if he's unable to get it across to the players. Ultimately, though, I think the responsibility lies at Ange's door. Whatever the reason, it can't go on.

Steve: I thought Spurs wanted to win the Europa League? This was just another terrified, guileless performance. This was Spurs under Mourinho, Conte etc - no confidence and no idea.

Tottenham must take their 1-0 Europa League defeat by AZ Alkmaar as a "wake-up call" going into their "biggest game of the season", says captain Son Heung-min.

Spurs lost their last-16 first-leg tie in the Netherlands - through Lucas Bergvall's own goal - with a lacklustre performance, and their sole chance of silverware now hanging in the balance.

Ange Postecoglou's side created few clear-cut chances and were fortunate to have only a one-goal deficit to overturn in next Thursday's second leg at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

"It's nowhere near where we should perform," Son told TNT Sports. "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.

"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.

"There are 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."

Former Celtic boss Postecoglou pointed out in September that he always wins a trophy in his second season at a team.

That is true of all his jobs where has been in charge for two full years.

But failure to win next Thursday and that streak will be over. Spurs sit 13th in the Premier League and are out of both domestic cups.

"It was nowhere near the level it needed to be," Postecoglou said of his side's performance in Alkmaar.

"It wasn't great from us tonight, pretty much all facets of the game. We didn't really get to grips with any part of the game. We struggled to gain any momentum with the ball, we weren't as aggressive as we needed to be without the ball.

"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, like I said, we didn't really come to grips and have the right mindset to tackle an away fixture in Europe.

"You are going to face some pressure when you play away from home in Europe and weather the storm and get to grips with it, but we never really did so that was a disappointment."

Striker Dominic Solanke, a 72nd-minute replacement for Son, went off injured late on his return to action after seven weeks out with a knee problem.

"It looks like a knock, but I haven't really seen it - hopefully nothing too bad," Postecoglou added.

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.

This is the second European meeting between AZ and Tottenham Hotspur, with Spurs winning the first game 1-0 on MD3 of this season’s UEFA Europa League group stage.

Spurs have won seven of their last 11 major European matches against Dutch sides (D2 L2), with this their first knockout meeting since beating Ajax 3-2 in May 2019 in the second leg of the UEFA Champions League semi-final to reach the final.

AZ have scored 19 UEFA Europa League goals this season, with only three teams netting more. They haven’t scored 20+ goals in a major European season since 2006-07 (26).

Spurs have won three of their last 18 away legs in major European ties (D5 L10), losing their last two without scoring since a 4-1 win at RZ Pellets WAC in February 2021.

Cheerio!

And with that, Thursday comes to a close.

Lots covered today so make sure you check in with our summary points at the top of the page for anything you've missed.

If you want to stick with us for more live text coverage, we'll be bringing you updates from every Europa League and Conference League fixture from 16:30 GMT. You can access that page here.

It's Friday tomorrow and you know what that means too - a day of news conference madness. We have 16 (SIXTEEN) Premier League news conferences to bring you.

Rest up in preparation for those, we certainly will be.

See you in the morning!

'For me, Sels is the best keeper in the world'

Nottingham Forest v Man City (Sat, 12:30 GMT)

Nottingham Forest

Nottingham Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo was asked whether he believed Alisson Becker was the best goalkeeper in the world: "Alisson was amazing [against PSG]. I don't want to say that, for me it's Matz Sels.

On what has helped Sels take his game to another level this season: "His confidence. The help of the team. I think there has been a big improvement in our defensive shape and that reflects on all the team, especially Matz. That reflects on his confidence and he is always there to give us a hand when we need it."

What is Chelsea's current form?

Copenhagen v Chelsea (17:45 GMT)

Chelsea

Chelsea have only won two of their last six matches in all competitions.

Prior to the 4-0 victory over Premier League's bottom club Southampton on 25 February, the Blues had lost three games in a row - their worst run of the season so far.

The clean-sheet they kept in that victory over the Saints was also only the second they have kept in 2025 - the other coming against League Two side Morecambe in the FA Cup back in early January.

Palmer's form is not a worry - Maresca

Copenhagen v Chelsea (17:45 GMT)

Chelsea

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca speaking about Cole Palmer's availability for this evening's game:

"If he is in the squad, he can play minutes, no doubt. Cole is always happy to play games, even training sessions.

"In terms of numbers, I'm happy with the way Cole is, even in the last game or Aston Villa away.

"He's not always going to score, it's normal."

"They [Copenhagen] are a very, very good team," he added. "They are doing great in their [domestic] league and also in the Conference League.

"They have a very good manager and a very good team; they play nice football, so it will be a good game."

'Time to show we are ready to fight for big things' - Cucurella

Copenhagen v Chelsea (17:45 GMT)

Chelsea

"I think in December it looked like we were the best players and the best team in the league. Now it looks like we are not the worst but one of the worst teams," explained Chelsea defender Marc Cucurella.

"In football this can happen. We are young, we have a new manager, new ideas - just for six months - and we know the expectations are really high.

"We play good football. Sometimes we can improve these last results but, in general, we are doing good.

"Now we need to do the last effort, with the last part of the season. It is a good moment to show we are ready to fight for big things."

Head-to-head: AZ Alkmaar v Tottenham

AZ Alkmaar v Tottenham (17:45 GMT)

Tottenham Hotspur and AZ Alkmaar have already met each other during the league phase of this year's Europa League.

Spurs got the better of that one at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium - Richarlison scoring the only goal of the game from the penalty spot early in the first half before the Eredivisie side were reduced to 10 men late on.

That remains the only time the two have faced off in competitive action - until tonight...

AZ Alkmaar's recent form

AZ Alkmaar v Tottenham (17:45 GMT)

AZ Alkmaar, like Tottenham, are in indifferent form going into this evening's game.

Like Spurs, they have also won four of their last seven in regulation - excluded in that is a penalty shootout victory over Heracles on 27 February.

They go into this game off the back of a 3-1 defeat in the Eredivisie to Heerenveen, though their last result in the Europa League was an impressive 6-3 aggregate victory over Turkish side Galatasaray.

Kulusevski baby photo reveals foot injury

Nizaar Kinsella

BBC Sport football news reporter

Tottenham forward Dejan Kulusevski has posted a picture of himself 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's last chance of winning silverware while also offering a route Champions League qualification for any team that wins it.

Romero, Van de Ven and Solanke set to return to face AZ

AZ Alkmaar v Tottenham (17:45 GMT)

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. "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."

AZ Alkmaar's Parrott has 'no regrets' about Spurs stint

AZ Alkmaar v Tottenham (17:45 GMT)

AZ Alkmaar forward Troy Parrott says he has no regrets about his time with former club Tottenham as he prepares to face them in the Europa League last 16.

The 23-year-old had his pick of the top clubs as a 15-year-old with Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea all interested.

He decided his future was with Spurs, but it didn't work out for the Republic of Ireland international and he made just four senior appearances before being sent out on loan spells in the second and third tiers of English football.

In 2023, he sought a new challenge in the Dutch first division.

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

"I look back with a smile. It's a place where I grew up. I moved away from home quite young, so when I went there I was in a phase of going from a kid to a teenager and then past that.

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

Mateta 'a very important' player but not Palace's only 'threat'

Crystal Palace v Ipswich Town (Sat, 15:00 GMT)

Ipswich Town

Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna on the availability Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta following the head injury he sustained during last weekend's FA Cup victory over Millwall: "I don't know if that has been 100% confirmed about whether he is available or not available. Obviously he is a very important player for Crystal Palace, who is having a fantastic season and of course scored the winning goal for them at Portland Road.

"It would be foolish to say that he is their only threat when they also have Eze and Saar as well, in the form they are in. We know we are facing a strong side no matter if Mateta plays or not, and need to prepare for that."

AZ Alkmaar forward Troy Parrott says he has no regrets about his time with former club Tottenham as he prepares to face them in the Europa League last 16.

The 23-year-old had his pick of the top clubs as a 15-year-old with Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea all interested.

He decided his future was with Spurs, but it didn't work out for the Republic of Ireland international and he made just four senior appearances before being sent out on loan spells in the second and third tiers of English football.

In 2023, he sought a new challenge in the Dutch first division.

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

"I look back with a smile. It's a place where I grew up. I moved away from home quite young, so when I went there I was in a phase of going from a kid to a teenager and then past that.

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

Parrott is now flourishing in the Dutch top-flight after Tottenham sold him to AZ Alkmaar in July 2024 for £6.7m following a season-long loan at Excelsior, who were relegated from the Eredivisie last season despite Parrott scoring 17 goals in 32 appearances.

This season he has featured in all 38 of AZ Alkmaar's matches in all competitions, starting 34 and coming on as a substitute in four with a tally of 17 goals.

"I'm here, 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," he said.

Parrott has already been reunited with his former club once this season, with the two meeting in the Europa League group phase in October where Spurs won 1-0.

"I feel we're in a better position now than we were when we played the first time," Parrott said.

The striker struggled for opportunities during his stint at Spurs and many fans called on then-manager Jose Mourinho to hand him more minutes.

But the minutes did not come and in 2020 he moved to Millwall on loan before heading out to Ipswich, MK Dons, Preston and eventually Excelsior.

He has previously discussed his struggles with living up to "the hype" that followed him in his early career and said the media attention "used to get to me a bit".

Parrott is now thriving in the Netherlands and his goal scoring record speaks for itself.

"I want to score in every game and tomorrow is just another game to try to do that. It would be nice for me, it'd be nice for the team also, so let's see," he said.

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."

Dejan Kulusevski is "unlikely" to feature for Tottenham again until April after suffering a foot injury, says manager Ange Postecoglou.

The Sweden forward posted an image on Instagram on Tuesday, external which showed him wearing a protective boot on his left foot.

And he now looks set to miss both legs of Spurs' last-16 Europa League tie against AZ Alkmaar and Premier League fixtures against Bournemouth and Fulham before the March international break.

They visit Chelsea on 3 April, when Kulusevski could return.

"It's been sore [in the] last couple of weeks, but he has been able to train and play and still get through it, but it wasn't getting better, so we did some further investigations but there's no real clarity," said Postecoglou.

"He is unlikely to be back before the international break. It's nothing serious, it's nothing surgical or anything, but he hasn't travelled."

The 24-year-old has become a key player for Tottenham since initially joining them on an 18-month loan from Juventus in January 2022.

He completed his move to London in the summer of 2023 and has scored 10 goals in 42 matches in all competitions this term.

Postecoglou also confirmed that Ben Davies and Richarlison are also sidelined.

However, long-term absentees Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven and Dominic Solanke have all travelled to the Netherlands and will be available to face AZ Alkmaar on Thursday evening (17:45 GMT).

Defenders Djed Spence and Kevin Danso, plus forward Mathys Tel, are also eligible to appear in the competition and make their European debuts for the club.

Tottenham fan Chris Cowlin says Ange Postecoglou's side must go far in the Europa League to save a disappointing season and winning a trophy would go a long way to satisfy fans after a campaign marked by frustration over various matters.

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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.