Tottenham kicked off their UEFA Europa League (UEL) campaign last night, but it was far from an easy sailing.
On a night that saw an emphatic performances from them, the Lilywhites had to endure a suspension as well as a major injury blow.
After the game, the Spurs manager explained one of his key decisions made in-game.
Ange Postecoglou praises Lucas Bergvall despite first-half sub against Qarabağ
Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou came to Lucas Bergvall‘s aid after their opening UEFA Europa League win against Qarabağ.
The teenage Swede was hooked off in the 12th minute in favour of Destiny Udogie after Radu Drăgușin‘s eighth-minute red card.
After the game, Postecoglou explained the substitution.
“He’s 18 he’ll get plenty more games but it was a decision we had to make, it was just an adjustment we had to make to get another defender on, nothing against Lucas, he’ll get more opportunities.”
Postecoglou on Bergvall, as quoted by Football London.
Despite going down to ten men early in the game, Spurs stuck to their game plan and, further supported by wastefulness on the part of their Azerbaijani counterparts, were able to come out 3-0 victors at full time, with goals from Brennan Johnson (12′), Pape Matar Sarr (52′), and Dominic Solanke (68′) securing for them all three points on the opening UEL weekend.
Bergvall is in his first season at Spurs, having signed a five-year, £15k-per-week contract earlier this summer after his €10m move from Djurgården.
An important sacrifice
Red cards almost always result in the manager needing to find a solution on the fly, especially early on in the game.
One can understand Bergvall to be frustrated, but he will understand in time that his substitution was a necessary call his manager had to make and that it wasn’t personal.
Credit to Tottenham for managing to clinch a clean sheet and all three points in their UEL opener.