Arsenal
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2Fuploads%2F2025%2F12%2Fraphinha-2-693dbddda1b15970105023.jpg?w=360&resize=360,180&ssl=1 "Barcelona 2-0 Osasuna: Highlights, man of the match, stats as Raphinha scores brace for Blaugrana")
Alasdair Gold names Lucas Bergvall as Tottenham Hotspur’s finest participant within the 1-0 win over Villarreal within the Champions League
Tottenham Hotspur received their Champions League marketing campaign up and operating with a 1-0 victory over Villarreal on Tuesday evening.
Thomas Frank’s aspect will probably be hopeful of reaching the knockout phases of the marketing campaign, and so they couldn’t have requested for a greater begin. The Spurs gaffer made a few modifications to his aspect that thrashed 10-man West Ham United within the Premier League final weekend.
Eyebrows have been raised when Joao Palhinha was left on the bench regardless of his implausible begin to the marketing campaign. Within the Portuguese’s place, Rodrigo Bentancur was handed a begin within the No.6 function and he repaid the boss’ religion. Alongside Bentancur, Lucas Bergvall and Pape Matar Sarr began within the dwelling aspect’s engine room.
Lucas Bergvall was strong within the victory at West Ham, scoring a looping header within the second half, and his reward was a begin on his Champions League debut in opposition to Villarreal. {The teenager} had a strong Champions League debut for Tottenham and performed a key function for the hosts profitable the sport. It was his cross from the correct which Villarreal goalkeeper Luiz Junior spilled into his personal internet whereas gathering.
Journo praises Lucas Bergvall’s efficiency vs Villarreal
Bergvall is rising in stature beneath Thomas Frank, and his efficiency in opposition to Villarreal was a proof. Beginning as a No.10, he linked play very effectively with Pedro Porro and Mohammed Kudus and made some good attacking runs into the field. The Swede was an environment friendly passer and barely regarded fazed by taking part in on a giant Champions League evening. He was additionally tasked with lengthy throws, and the midfielder delivered a few inviting balls within the field.
It was not a classic Tottenham show, and a part of that was right down to how the La Liga aspect nullified them. Villarreal have been organised, disciplined and compact, and on one other evening, they might have gone dwelling with some extent. Bergvall was proper in crediting Marcelino’s aspect for offering Spurs with a tricky problem.
Now, Alasdair Gold has praised Bergvall’s debut within the Champions League. The respected journalist felt the Swede was most likely Spurs’ “finest participant” and praised for displaying nice maturity and confidence on the pitch in opposition to the Spanish opposition.
“Lucas Bergvall has completely roared into rivalry once more, which is nice. Again-to-back man of the match awards. Um, most likely Spurs finest participant, I might say, final evening,” Alasdair Gold mentioned in his YouTube channel.
“His Champions League debut as effectively, very constructive. And like I mentioned, Thomas Frank praising the way in which he linked up with Porro and Kudus down the correct.
“And naturally, it was him that that slung within the ball that finally ends up um profitable the sport by way of some very terrible goalkeeping. He doesn’t lack confidence or maturity on the pitch. Completely.
“He’s been handed lengthy throw duties when Kevin Damo isn’t on the pitch. Andreas George clearly drilling him to do these. They’re good. They’re good. It prompted some points yesterday.”
Bergvall thriving within the new No.10 function
Bergvall predominantly performed as both No.6 or 8 beneath Ange Postecoglou, however his function has modified this season. Frank has used him as a No.10, giving the teenager the license to take up clever areas within the closing third and create alternatives for the forwards.
The Sweden worldwide touched on the tasks he possesses as an attacking midfielder beneath the brand new gaffer after the Villarreal recreation. The 19-year-old continues to be studying find out how to be impactful within the closing third, however the latest shows present he definitely can function within the gap behind the striker. Bergvall is having fun with life beneath Frank and deserves to maintain his place within the crew in opposition to Brighton on the weekend.
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2Fuploads%2F2025%2F12%2Fraphinha-2-693dbddda1b15970105023.jpg?w=120&resize=120,86&ssl=1 "Barcelona 2-0 Osasuna: Highlights, man of the match, stats as Raphinha scores brace for Blaugrana")
