Son Heung-Min slams Spurs for ‘disappointing’ 1-0 defeat by AZ Alkmaar as captain warns loss is a ‘big wake-up call’ ahead of second leg

Son Heung-min has branded Tottenham’s feeble display and defeat at AZ Alkmaar as a ‘big, big wake-up call’ as they strive to salvage something from a miserable season in the Europa League.

‘We have got to be strong in the mentality and every aspect,’ said captain Son on Spurs Play. ‘This competition is one of the biggest competitions that we want to achieve something and including me we don’t perform well, so you get punished, especially away from home.

‘The Europa League is always tough and it has to be a big wake up call.’

Boss Ange Postecoglou accused his players of lacking ‘aggression’ and being ‘hesitant’ and failing to show the ‘mindset’ required to play away from home in Europe.

‘We are going to have to move on,’ said Son. ‘We have already passed this game and it was basically very, very poor. Luckily we have another chance to play at home and we can turn around again in a positive way.

‘It is too early to let heads down and give up. We have a massive, massive chance next week and we need to be ready to try to turn it around.

The Spurs captain had branded the loss as a ‘big wake-up call’ ahead of the second leg next week at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium

Tottenham conceded an own-goal from Lucas Bergvall after the Swedish midfielder failed to clear the ball out of his box

‘We should be lucky we have another chance next Thursday. It’s a big, big wake up call and everybody should take real care about it. 

Postecoglou’s comments come after his side may have played one of their worst matches of the season, allowing AZ Alkmaar to deliver a strong performance in front of their own stands, concluding the game with 12 shots in total and five on target.

Meanwhile, Spurs have shown a worrying display as they couldn’t find the back of the net throughout 90 minutes and had only one big chance in total when Wilson Odobert missed a header in the final stages of the game.

‘Every opponent you play you have to respect massively because it’s a hard competition and everyone wants to win.

‘Everyone can talk who is favourite, but at the end of the day who wins is the most important thing.

‘We have to respect the others, give huge respect to win the game because winning a game is never guaranteed. We have to earn it and can’t make it comfortable. In the game we have to make some uncomfortable stuff.’ 

Tottenham will take on AZ Alkmaar in their second leg with a disadvantage of one goal after their Premier League game on Sunday against Bournemouth.

Ange Postecoglou’s side will taken on AZ Alkmaar for their rematch after their Premier League game against Bournemouth on Sunday

Spurs have suffered their 18th defeat, marking one of the worst seasons in their history

Ange Postecoglou’s side endured a disappointing domestic campaign as Spurs sit in 13th place in the Premier League table, with just 33 points.

Their worrying situation was deepened by several injuries picked up by injuries to key players, including Cristian Romero, Dejan Kulusevski, and Micky van de Ven.

Dominic Solanke returned to the squad on Thursday after a six-week absence due to a knee injury but was forced off the pitch in the 92nd minute due to another injury scare.

The English striker – who scored 11 goals for Spurs so far – required medical assistance before being replaced by Dane Scarlett.