Alasdair Gold names Lucas Bergvall as Tottenham Hotspur’s best player in the 1-0 win over Villarreal in the Champions League
Tottenham Hotspur got their Champions League campaign up and running with a 1-0 victory over Villarreal on Tuesday night.
Thomas Frank’s side will be hopeful of reaching the knockout stages of the campaign, and they could not have asked for a better start. The Spurs gaffer made a couple of changes to his side that thrashed 10-man West Ham United in the Premier League last weekend.
Eyebrows were raised when Joao Palhinha was left on the bench despite his fantastic start to the campaign. In the Portuguese’s place, Rodrigo Bentancur was handed a start in the No.6 role and he repaid the boss’ faith. Alongside Bentancur, Lucas Bergvall and Pape Matar Sarr started in the home side’s engine room.
Lucas Bergvall was solid in the victory at West Ham, scoring a looping header in the second half, and his reward was a start on his Champions League debut against Villarreal. The teenager had a solid Champions League debut for Tottenham and played a key role for the hosts winning the game. It was his cross from the right which Villarreal goalkeeper Luiz Junior spilled into his own net while gathering.
Journo praises Lucas Bergvall’s performance vs Villarreal
Bergvall is growing in stature under Thomas Frank, and his performance against Villarreal was a proof. Starting as a No.10, he linked play very well with Pedro Porro and Mohammed Kudus and made some smart attacking runs into the box. The Swede was an efficient passer and barely looked fazed by playing on a big Champions League night. He was also tasked with long throws, and the midfielder delivered a couple of inviting balls in the box.
It was not a vintage Tottenham display, and part of that was down to how the La Liga side nullified them. Villarreal were organised, disciplined and compact, and on another night, they could have gone home with a point. Bergvall was right in crediting Marcelino’s side for providing Spurs with a tough challenge.
Now, Alasdair Gold has praised Bergvall’s debut in the Champions League. The reputable journalist felt the Swede was probably Spurs’ “best player” and praised for showing great maturity and confidence on the pitch against the Spanish opposition.
“Lucas Bergvall has absolutely roared into contention again, which is great. Back-to-back man of the match awards. Um, probably Spurs best player, I would say, last night,” Alasdair Gold said in his YouTube channel.
“His Champions League debut as well, very positive. And like I said, Thomas Frank praising the way he linked up with Porro and Kudus down the right.
“And of course, it was him that that slung in the ball that ends up um winning the game via some very awful goalkeeping. He doesn’t lack confidence or maturity on the pitch. Absolutely.
“He’s been handed long throw duties when Kevin Damo isn’t on the pitch. Andreas George obviously drilling him to do those. They’re good. They’re good. It caused some issues yesterday.”
Bergvall thriving in the new No.10 role
Bergvall predominantly played as either No.6 or 8 under Ange Postecoglou, but his role has changed this season. Frank has used him as a No.10, giving the youngster the license to take up intelligent spaces in the final third and create opportunities for the forwards.
The Sweden international touched on the responsibilities he possesses as an attacking midfielder under the new gaffer after the Villarreal game. The 19-year-old is still learning how to be impactful in the final third, but the recent displays show he certainly can operate in the hole behind the striker. Bergvall is enjoying life under Frank and deserves to keep his place in the team against Brighton at the weekend.
