UEFA Europa League Preview: Son Heung-min Out, Tottenham Hotspur’s Key Player Returns, Alkmaar Must Maintain Their Own Rhythm

At 3:00 AM on October 25, in the third round of the group stage of the 2024/25 UEFA Europa League, Tottenham Hotspur will host Alkmaar. Currently, Tottenham has accumulated 6 points from two matches and temporarily ranks 3rd. Alkmaar has 3 points from one win and one loss, temporarily ranking 18th.

In their first two matches, Tottenham convincingly defeated Karabakh 3-0, notably playing almost the entire game with one man down. They then narrowly won 2-1 against Ferencváros, securing two consecutive victories with minimal effort. In the past five games, Tottenham has won four and lost one. Compared to the “sleepwalking” at the beginning of the season, they have gradually regained the lightning-fast offensive rhythm of last season. They defeated Manchester United 3-0 and West Ham United 4-1, with the forward line led by Kulusevski and Johnson frequently causing trouble. However, new signing Solanke still needs time to gel with the team.

Alkmaar’s recent form has been abysmal, transforming from an unbeaten run of six games at the start of the season to a three-game losing streak in the league. In the European competition, they unsurprisingly lost 0-2 to Athletic Bilbao. After a 1-2 defeat to PSV Eindhoven in the previous league match, Alkmaar’s ranking in the Dutch Eredivisie dropped to 4th. Following a series of poor results, head coach Martens is beginning to feel the pressure, and his team desperately needs a significant rebound.

Overall, the performances of both teams this season have shown a clear dichotomy. Tottenham started slowly but has since won consecutive matches, demonstrating their formidable attacking power. However, Tottenham exhibited a significant characteristic last season: inconsistency. In the first half of the season, they were nearly invincible, but as injuries increased and player fatigue accumulated in the second half, their performance declined. Alkmaar, on the other hand, experienced a period of early success followed by a downturn. Despite their recent struggles, this resilient team cannot be easily overlooked by any opponent.

The two teams have no prior head-to-head records. However, Tottenham has a record of 10 wins, 5 draws, and 6 losses in their last 21 encounters with Dutch teams, giving them a clear advantage. Moreover, Tottenham has recently welcomed back several injured players. Captain Son Heung-min not only returned but also scored a goal. Richarlison, after a long absence, has also returned to action. In their first Europa League match against Karabakh, Tottenham defender Dragusin received a red card, and this match may provide him with a rare opportunity to prove his value. Alkmaar currently has no serious injury concerns.

At the pre-match press conference, Tottenham manager Postecoglou discussed the team’s lineup for the match. He stated that after the last game, Son Heung-min felt some pain and missed today’s training session. As a result, he will not be included in the matchday squad. However, Odegbemi has returned and is available for selection. Additionally, Richarlison trained hard today and is eager to play. London media generally believe that Richarlison and Dragusin are likely to start. Son Heung-min’s position is expected to be taken by the returning Odegbemi.

Alkmaar’s head coach Martens indicated that his team has studied Tottenham’s style, which favors high-intensity play. Therefore, his team needs to maintain their own rhythm, especially in the later stages of the match when they must remain calm. Undoubtedly, this will be a game of contrasting rhythms, and the team’s defense will face a severe test. However, if Alkmaar wants to join the ranks of top teams, such challenges are essential.

Considering the recent form of both teams, Alkmaar faces a daunting task. Of course, the absence of several key players from Tottenham may give the Dutch side a glimmer of hope. Although their attacking capabilities are limited, Alkmaar’s defense has its strengths. If they can withstand Tottenham’s initial onslaught in the first 10 minutes, they might turn the tide to their advantage.

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