The Dutch media refused to get carried away following AZ Alkmaar's 1-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur on Thursday night. The Eredivisie outfit turned in an impressive display against Ange Postecoglou's side, who were disappointing on the road.
Spurs are among the favourites to win the competition but will need to overturn a one goal deficit at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium next week. In truth, AZ could and probably should have lead by a greater margin.
An own goal from Lucas Bergvall gave the hosts the lead before former Spurs striker Troy Parrott squandered a golden opportunity to make it 2-0 and inflict more pressure on his ex-manager.
Pressure is starting to build on Postecoglou after a disappointing campaign to date, one that has been blighted by injuries and the absence of key players. Although they were without a number of important stars for the clash in the Netherlands, they were still able to name a strong starting XI that should have turned in a better display.
Speaking after the full-time whistle, the Spurs boss said: "Yeah, 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.
"It was a tricky surface but having said that we kind of knew that from yesterday and yeah we just didn’t tackle the challenges we had out there in a real positive way. That allowed AZ to get into a rhythm, which when you’re playing away from home, it is difficult to stem the tide."
Football.london has taken a look at what some of the Dutch media have had to say about Spurs' defeat in Alkmaar, firing a warning to the Eredivisie side.
'Could not get into the game'
Voetbalzone wrote: "Tottenham Hotspur, meanwhile, could not get into the game. They got some small chances via Son (shot blocked by Wouter Goes) and Johnson (over), but especially illustrative was a free kick variation in a dangerous place that went completely wrong.
"At the start of the second half, Spurs finally showed themselves. Bergvall shot the ball wide, and an attempt by Son went over. But as the second half progressed, the AZ defence became increasingly successful in keeping the English attack under control.
"AZ itself became dangerous again via Poku, who saw Vicario make the save. A little later Alexandre Penetra shot wide via a defender. Tottenham Hotspur could not create any more danger on the other side, and as a result Alkmaar travels to the English capital next week with a lead."
'AZ dominance'
Football Oranje wrote: "AZ Alkmaar sealed a 1-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur in the first leg of their Europa League last 16 tie. AZ were poor in a league defeat to Heerenveen at the weekend but they bossed the game from the start against Tottenham.
"The opening goal came in the 18th minute when Troy Parrott’s cross was turned into his own net by Lucas Bergvall. Shortly afterward, Parrott got through on goal but couldn’t make it 2-0. AZ failed to add a second goal in the second half to crown their dominance while Tottenham’s only shot on goal came in the 88th minute.
"AZ take a slender lead into the second leg next week."
'Caused trouble'
NL Times said: "As has been the case in most of AZ’s Europa League matches this season, the Alkmaarders were dominant in the AFAS Stadium. They should have made it 2-0 after half an hour played when Denso Kasius, who had come on in the first half for the injured Mayckel Lahdo, gave Troy Parrott a one-on-one chance after a brilliant dribble. However, the Irishman failed to convert the chance against his former team.
"A cross caused trouble again for Ange Postecoglou’s side shortly before halftime. Seiya Maikuma’s chip found David Møller Wolfe in the box. What followed was a goalmouth scramble in which AZ had four attempts at goal but they were each blocked by a Tottenham player.
"There were not many attacks of note in the second half. Ernest Poku came close with a free shot in the box, which really should have been at least on target. But that was really the only source of danger in the second half for either side.
"Martens will be pleased with the win. But AZ will also know how difficult the match at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium will be next week."