Tottenham Hotspur captain Son Heung-min has described their recent 1-0 defeat to AZ Alkmaar in the Europa League as a much-needed "wake-up call" as they prepare for what he considers the "biggest game of the season." In a lackluster performance, Spurs struggled to create significant chances, with Lucas Bergvall's own goal proving to be the only scoring action in the first leg of the last-16 tie. Son expressed disappointment not only in the team’s effort but also in his own performance, highlighting the need for a significant turnaround in the second leg at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Manager Ange Postecoglou echoed Son's sentiments, acknowledging that the team's performance was well below the required standard. He emphasized the lack of aggression and momentum, both with and without the ball, which hindered Spurs from effectively tackling the European away fixture. Postecoglou noted that while the team's effort was not lacking, the right mindset was essential to compete at this level, especially in challenging away matches. With Spurs currently sitting 13th in the Premier League and out of domestic cup competitions, the Europa League represents their last chance for silverware this season.

Further complicating matters, striker Dominic Solanke, who was subbed in for Son, suffered an injury late in the match, adding to the team's woes. As Spurs gear up for the decisive second leg, both Son and Postecoglou are aware that a marked improvement is essential if they hope to overturn the deficit and keep their hopes of silverware alive. The pressure is on, and the team must regroup quickly to deliver a performance that meets expectations next week.