Biography
Tottenham Wins Without Son Heung-min, Advances as Europa League Favorite
On October 25 (KST), Tottenham Hotspur clinched a 1-0 victory over AZ Alkmaar in their UEFA Europa League group-stage match at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London.
Tottenham’s third consecutive Europa League win puts them level with Lazio in points (9) but in second place due to goal difference. Despite missing Son Heung-min, manager Ange Postecoglou’s lineup held its own, with Timo Werner, Richarlison, and Mikey Moore forming the attack. In the first half, they pushed relentlessly but couldn’t break through Alkmaar’s defense.
The breakthrough came in the 51st minute when Lucas Bérival drew a penalty, and Richarlison converted with a confident right-footed shot. Richarlison’s penalty proved decisive, and Tottenham held their lead, especially after Alkmaar’s David Olpe received a red card in the 85th minute, reducing them to ten men.
While Son’s absence was felt, Moore’s lively performance shined. Acting captain James Maddison praised the young talent, saying to TNT Sports, “For a moment, it felt like Neymar was on the left wing. Moore was fearless and played with incredible spirit.”
Maddison also demonstrated his leadership in the match, particularly during the penalty incident. As Richarlison grabbed the ball for the penalty, Maddison initially requested to take it. When Richarlison resisted, teammate Rodrigo Bentancur intervened, and eventually, Richarlison took the shot and scored with a calm Panenka.
Reflecting on his decision to let Richarlison take the penalty, Maddison explained, “I initially wanted the penalty, but I knew he was returning from injury, and strikers thrive on goals. Giving him that moment was the right call.”
Tottenham’s impressive performance has made them one of the favorites to win the Europa League. According to betting site Paddy Power, Tottenham’s odds of lifting the trophy are 9/2, ahead of Manchester United (5/1) and AS Roma (8/1).
Even Fenerbahçe manager José Mourinho, facing Manchester United, remarked, “Tottenham and Manchester United are the strongest contenders for this season’s title.”
