Tottenham Hotspur is facing a major setback as manager Ange Postecoglou confirmed that midfielder Lucas Bergvall will miss the rest of the season due to an ankle injury. The absence of Bergvall was evident during the recent 3-1 victory against Bodo/Glimt, where he was unable to participate following the unfortunate injury sustained in the lead-up to their Europa League semi-final clash.
In a press conference before the upcoming match against West Ham, Postecoglou shared his disappointment over Bergvall’s condition, revealing, “Lucas looks like the injury is significant to keep him out for the rest of the season. He tweaked the ligaments in his ankle.” This news comes as a blow to both Bergvall and the team, impacting their strategies and dynamics on the field.
Postecoglou’s Insights
When asked about how Bergvall got injured during training, Postecoglou explained, “It wasn’t a tackle; he went to turn and his ankle gave way. They are things that happen.” Despite this setback, Postecoglou expressed optimism about Bergvall’s future, stating, “Every experience in life and football makes you stronger. He has an unbelievable career ahead of him.”
The manager emphasized that setbacks like this can be turning points for players and build resilience. He added, “It has denied him the opportunity to play in a big game last night. He will come back stronger. Every player has to go through setbacks.”
Player Updates
Aside from Bergvall’s injury, Postecoglou provided updates on other key players in the squad. Dominic Solanke and James Maddison suffered knocks during a recent match while captain Heung-Min Son has been sidelined for several games.
Regarding Solanke and Maddison’s conditions, Postecoglou mentioned, “[James] Madders is a bit more of a concern as it is knee-related.” The team sent Maddison for further evaluation through scans to determine the extent of his injury. On Son’s recovery progress, Postecoglou noted that he is improving daily but did not confirm his availability for future matches yet.
Tactical Adjustments
Considering Tottenham’s current position in 16th place in the Premier League standings with minimal chances of advancing significantly, Postecoglou acknowledged that changes are necessary. With upcoming fixtures against tough opponents like West Ham and Bodo/Glimt looming large on their schedule, strategic decisions need to be made.
Postecoglou hinted at making substantial alterations to their starting lineup for tactical reasons and player management amidst demanding fixtures ahead. Regarding potential changes for the forthcoming matches against West Ham and Bodo/Glimt within days of each other, he stated,”We will make changes to put in a strong performance but also give some players a rest.”
As Tottenham navigates through these challenging times with multiple injuries affecting key players like Lucas Bergvall leading into critical matches across domestic leagues and European competitions,the club faces intense pressure both on-field performance-wise as well as off-field decision-making aspects by Ange Postcoglu.
