Tottenham captain Son Heung-min has called for his team to take their disappointing 1-0 Europa League defeat by AZ Alkmaar as a "wake-up call" ahead of what he describes as their "biggest game of the season" - the return leg that could determine their only chance at silverware this season.
The North London side suffered a frustrating loss in the Netherlands during their last-16 first-leg tie, with Lucas Bergvall's own goal making the difference in what was widely considered a lackluster performance from Ange Postecoglou's men.
"It's nowhere near where we should perform," Son told TNT Sports following the match. "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."
The Korean captain was particularly critical of his team's creative output, adding: "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."
Despite the poor showing, Son remains optimistic about turning things around in the second leg at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. "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."
Spurs were fortunate to escape with only a one-goal deficit, creating few clear-cut chances throughout the match. The performance has placed additional pressure on manager Postecoglou, who had previously noted that he always wins a trophy in his second season at a club - a streak that is now in serious jeopardy.
The Australian coach echoed his captain's assessment: "It was nowhere near the level it needed to be. 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."
Postecoglou defended his players' commitment but questioned their approach to the European away fixture. "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."
Adding to Tottenham's concerns, striker Dominic Solanke - who had just returned after seven weeks out with a knee problem - was forced off with an injury late in the game after replacing Son in the 72nd minute. Postecoglou provided a cautiously optimistic update, saying: "It looks like a knock, but I haven't really seen it - hopefully nothing too bad."
With Tottenham sitting 13th in the Premier League and already eliminated from both domestic cups, the return leg against AZ Alkmaar represents their final opportunity for silverware this season. The crucial second leg will take place next Thursday at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, where Son and his teammates will need a significantly improved performance to keep their trophy hopes alive.
