Lucas Bergvall has opened up on his feelings regarding his early substitution in Tottenham’s Europa League tie against Qarabag.
Bergvall made his second start since joining from Djurgarden in the summer as Spurs beat the Azerbaijani champions 3-0 at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in late September.
However, the 18-year-old was brought off after just 12 minutes as Ange Postecoglou introduced an extra defender following Radu Dragusin’s early red card.
Bergvall looked extremely frustrated and upset at his early withdrawal after patiently waiting for extended minutes during his formative weeks with Spurs.
“We entrusted him with starting a really important game for us, so he knows how we feel about him,” Postecoglou said at the time. “It was a tactical decision. He was disappointed. I expect him to be disappointed, but he’s going to have plenty of moments like that in his career.
“It’s always about how you respond to those things, how you grow from those things. He was training this morning – and he was flying – so he’s all good.”
Lucas Bergvall opens up on early Qarabag substitution
Bergvall is now on duty with the senior Sweden national team for their Nations League fixtures against Slovakia and Estonia.
The teenage midfielder has been asked about his substitution against Qarabag and while he couldn’t deny his ‘disappointment’, he did insist he understands Postecoglou’s decision.
“Of course you were disappointed, as you should be,” Bergvall said (via Football.London). “But after that it was just a matter of letting it go and moving on.
“I completely understand the decision that he is making. It was just a matter of letting it go and moving on.”
Given his considerable talent, there will be plenty of chances to come for Bergvall to impress in a white shirt.
Up next for the Lilywhites is a home clash with London rivals West Ham United following the international break.