Spurs v AZ Alkmaar Tactical Preview: How Tottenham Can Exploit AZ Alkmaar’s Weaknesses

Tottenham’s Winning Blueprint: Exposing AZ Alkmaar’s Tactical Flaws 

When Spurs face AZ Alkmaar in the UEFA Europa League, we need to focus on more than just their recent form. This is all about tactics and we have a game plan that can expose their vulnerabilities and push us towards victory.

AZ Alkmaar, founded in 1967 after a merger, is a prominent Dutch club known for challenging the dominance of Ajax, PSV and Feyenoord. They won their first Eredivisie title in 1981 and again in 2009. 

The club has a strong emphasis on youth development and has consistently competed in European competitions.

AZ Alkmaar’s Tactical Overview

They love to control the ball and rely on players like Sven Mijnans to pull the strings. Their style is all about high pressing and quick transitions, but that comes with a cost.

Here’s the kicker - they're vulnerable when they overcommit. Sounds like West Ham all over again doesn't it!

Their full-backs are often caught too high, leaving massive gaps on the flanks. This is something we can exploit all day.

AZ Alkmaar’s Strengths

1. High-Press System: AZ suffocates teams with their aggressive press. But that same high line gives us room to counter.

2. Wing Play: They’ve got some tricky wingers like Jesper Karlsson. He’ll try to drag defenders wide and create overloads. We’ll need to keep an eye on that.

3. Creative Midfield: Guys like Dani de Wit and Sven Mijnans are dangerous. They dictate the tempo and can pick out dangerous passes through tight spaces. We can’t give them time on the ball.

AZ Alkmaar’s Weaknesses

1. Exposed in Transition: They commit heavily in attack, leaving gaps behind their midfield. This is prime territory for Maddison, Kulusevski and Son to exploit.

2. Vulnerable to Pressing: Their defence is shaky when pressured. They try to build from the back, but their centre-backs struggle under pressure. Solanke, Son, Johnson or Mikey Moore aggressive pressing can force them into making mistakes that our midfielders can capitalize on and regain possession.

3. Weak on Set Pieces: AZ has conceded a decent chunk of their goals from set-pieces this season. With Richarlison or Lankshear, van de Ven and Romero as aerial threats, we need to take full advantage of corners and free kicks.

How Spurs Can Win the Tactical Battle

1. Countering Through Central Spaces
AZ's midfield loves to push forward, which leaves a lot of room behind them. Players like Bergvall, Bissouma, Bentancur and Sarr ((whoever plays) should be looking to break their lines with quick, forward passes. Once Maddison or Son get the ball in those spaces, AZ’s defence will be scrambling.

2. Targeting Their Full-Backs
AZ’s full-backs bomb forward a lot. This opens up space for our wide players. Moore or Werner can punish them by exploiting that space, stretching their backline and creating opportunities for Gray/Porro or Davies/Udogie to whip in crosses.

3. High Press on Their Defence
AZ tries to play out from the back, but they struggle when pressed aggressively. By pressing high, especially on their centre-backs, we can force them into mistakes. This is where we can create dangerous turnovers.

4. Set-Piece Dominance
With AZ struggling to defend set-pieces, we have a huge opportunity here. Romero and van de Ven will be key targets from corners and free-kicks. Lankshear also battled well for headers in the last European ties and Richarlison is slowly coming back from injury so Spurs can make their life miserable with well-delivered balls into the box.

Predicted Formation and Approach for Spurs

Expect Ange to go with our favored 4-3-3, with an emphasis on pressing high and transitioning quickly. 

We should look to dominate possession in the middle but always be ready to hit AZ hard on the counter when they overcommit. 

If we stay disciplined and capitalize on their weaknesses, this game is ours to lose.

Spurs vs AZ Alkmaar Match Overview

Internal Links

1. For more on how Spurs exploit specific teams, check out How Spurs Can Exploit West Ham’s Defensive Weaknesses.

2. Want to know more about how our attacking system works? Read the Ferencvárosi TC Tactical Analysis to get an idea of how we dominate high-press teams.

3. Check out this Tactical Report on Ange Postecoglou to see how we’ve adapted to his system and why it’s clicking.

FAQs

1. How does AZ Alkmaar’s high pressing affect Spurs?
Their high press leaves gaps in midfield and exposes them on the counter, giving Spurs plenty of space to exploit.

2. Who is AZ Alkmaar’s key player to watch?
Sven Mijnans is their engine in midfield. If we shut him down, AZ will struggle to control the game.

3. What formation will Spurs use?
Spurs will likely stick to a 4-3-3, focusing on quick transitions and exploiting AZ’s defensive weaknesses.

4. How can Spurs dominate the aerial battle?
AZ’s defensive setup struggles against set-pieces. Players like Richarlison, Romero and van de Ven can dominate in the air from corners and free kicks.

STATS SECTION: Stats and Case Studies

• AZ Alkmaar’s Possession Rate (2024/25 season): 59% average possession across all competitions, favouring control in midfield.
• AZ’s Defensive Record: Conceded an average of 1.1 goals per match but struggled in games against teams pressing high.
• Tottenham’s High Press Stats: Ranked 4th in the Premier League for pressing intensity, forcing 12 turnovers per match in the opposition’s half.
• AZ Alkmaar’s Expected Goals (xG): 1.9 xG per game, with significant reliance on wing play and crosses for high-quality chances.
• Set-Piece Vulnerability: AZ has conceded 35% of their goals from set-pieces this season, a clear area Spurs can target with aerial threats.
• Counter-Attack Efficiency: AZ has conceded 7 goals from quick counter-attacks this season, highlighting their susceptibility to fast transitions.

Stats Links

Alkmaar History Lesson