Tottenham Player Ratings vs AZ Alkmaar: Maddison Shines, Werner Struggles

Tottenham Hotspur secured their third consecutive Europa League win with a 1-0 victory over AZ Alkmaar on Thursday evening at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. The win solidifies their strong position in the competition and reflects the tactical decisions of Ange Postecoglou, who rotated his squad extensively. James Maddison and Destiny Udogie were the only players to retain their starting spots from the previous weekend’s Premier League win against West Ham.

Postecoglou gave several squad members a chance to impress, including Mikey Moore, who came close to scoring early on, and Timo Werner, who had a mixed night. Richarlison marked his return from injury with a decisive penalty, while Fraser Forster delivered crucial saves to help maintain the clean sheet.

Here’s a closer look at how the players performed against AZ Alkmaar.

Fraser Forster – 8

Forster was handed a rare start in goal and made the most of it with a confident performance. He showcased his sharp reflexes with a brilliant one-handed save to deny Alexandre Penetra’s header in the first half. Just before halftime, he came off his line quickly to snuff out another dangerous opportunity. In the final minutes, Forster made another crucial stop from Mayckel Lahdo’s shot, ensuring Tottenham saw out the win.

Archie Gray – 6

Gray, who has been gradually gaining experience, found himself in a few tricky situations against AZ’s lively winger Ernest Poku. Despite being tested, he managed to hold his ground and avoid any major mistakes. This performance will have provided him with more valuable minutes in Europe.

Radu Drăgușin – 7

Drăgușin returned to the lineup after serving a suspension and made his presence felt at the back. The defender was solid throughout, positioning himself well to block several dangerous attempts from the visitors. His physical presence and calmness on the ball were key in frustrating AZ’s attack.

Ben Davies – 6

Davies, lacking regular playing time in recent weeks, gave a steady performance at the back. While not spectacular, he read the game well and dealt efficiently with AZ’s forward threats. The match will have done him good as he looks to regain sharpness.

Destiny Udogie – 7

The energetic fullback was once again a constant threat down the left flank. Udogie pushed forward at every opportunity, stretching AZ’s defense and creating space for his teammates. His overlapping runs provided a valuable outlet, making him a key part of Tottenham’s attacking game.

Rodrigo Bentancur – 8

Bentancur controlled the midfield with elegance, dictating the tempo of the game. His passing was sharp and precise, playing a vital role in building attacks from deep. It was his fantastic through ball to Maddison that led to Tottenham winning the penalty. Bentancur also showed his defensive capabilities, making a crucial tackle to deny Poku when the AZ winger was set to pull the trigger inside the box.

Lucas Bergvall – 7

Bergvall added flair to Tottenham’s midfield with moments of brilliance. Early in the game, he delighted the home crowd with a graceful pirouette to evade pressure. His passing was equally impressive, particularly a sublime outside-of-the-boot pass that set Werner free on goal. Bergvall’s movement off the ball drew the foul that resulted in the match-winning penalty. It was a mature performance from the young midfielder, showing he can be a valuable asset in key moments.

James Maddison – 8

Maddison wore the captain’s armband in the absence of regular skipper Son Heung-min and delivered a dynamic performance. From the first whistle, Maddison was a menace to AZ’s defense, using his movement and technical quality to create openings. His run in the box, assisted by Bentancur, led to the penalty that Richarlison converted. Maddison’s leadership was also on display, allowing Richarlison to take the penalty after a brief discussion, demonstrating his team-first mentality.

Mikey Moore – 8

The 17-year-old winger earned his first home start and nearly made an instant impact, narrowly missing with a header just five minutes in. Moore’s speed and positive runs troubled AZ throughout the game. He showcased versatility, switching to the left side after Werner’s substitution and immediately creating chances. His mazy run early in the second half led to an opportunity for Brennan Johnson, and his energy earned him a standing ovation from the crowd when he was substituted late on.

Richarlison – 7

Making his first start of the season following an injury layoff, Richarlison worked hard up front and looked determined to make an impact. He was rewarded early in the second half when he coolly converted from the penalty spot, chipping the ball down the middle. The goal seemed to boost his confidence, and though he lasted only 64 minutes, it was an encouraging performance for the Brazilian forward.

Timo Werner – 5

It was a frustrating night for Werner, who struggled to make the most of his opportunities. The forward provided a wonderful early cross that Moore almost turned into the opener, but his finishing let him down on several occasions. Werner spurned a golden chance after being played through by Bergvall, lacking conviction in front of goal. His inconsistency in decisive moments continues to be a concern. Substituted at halftime, Werner will need to rediscover his sharpness quickly if he hopes to establish himself under Postecoglou.

Second-Half Observations

Tottenham managed to find the breakthrough shortly after the restart, with Richarlison converting from the spot. As the game progressed, Spurs continued to create opportunities but were unable to extend their lead. AZ’s efforts to fight back were hampered when they went down to ten men following David Moller Wolfe’s red card in the closing minutes.

Postecoglou’s substitutions added fresh legs and helped Spurs see out the game, with players like Brennan Johnson offering energy in the final stages. Defensively, Tottenham remained solid, with Forster standing tall to deny AZ any chance of an equalizer.

Summary

Tottenham’s 1-0 win over AZ Alkmaar wasn’t their most dazzling performance, but it showcased their ability to grind out a result when needed. With key players like Maddison and Bentancur delivering standout performances and young talents like Moore continuing to impress, Postecoglou will be pleased with the depth emerging in his squad.

However, Timo Werner’s struggles in front of goal will raise questions, as his overall play has been decent but his finishing remains inconsistent. Forster’s assured performance in goal and the composed displays from Spurs’ defenders suggest the team is building solidity across all areas of the pitch.

This result gives Tottenham full control of their Europa League group, with nine points from three games. The next challenge will be maintaining their momentum as they balance domestic and European commitments, but with performances like this, Spurs look well-equipped to continue their positive run under Postecoglou.