Lucas Bergvall breaks silence on Ange Postecoglou Tottenham substitute decision in Europa League

Lucas Bergvall has spoken about Ange Postecoglou's decision to replace him after 12 minutes in Tottenham's win over Qarabag as a result of Radu Dragusin's red card

Lucas Bergvall has revealed that he was "disappointed" by his early substitution in Tottenham's game against Qarabag but he understood Ange Postecoglou's decision. Making his second Spurs start since making the move from Swedish side Djurgarden, the midfielder was replaced on 12 minutes following Radu Dragusin's red card five minutes earlier.

The youngster looked completely gutted on the Tottenham bench following his substitution, with TV cameras panning to him watching the game with his hood up and jacket zipped to the top covering his mouth. Despite the early blow on what was such a huge night for him as he made his European debut for the club, Bergvall did start in their following Europa League game away at Ferencvaros.

Now on Sweden international duty after once again getting the nod for the senior side, the 18-year-old was quizzed on his early substitution against Qarabag.

"Of course you were disappointed, as you should be," he said, as reported by Swedish publication Aftonbladet. "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."

On making his European debut, he added: "It was incredibly fun. Something you've dreamed of since you were little to debut in the Europa League, so it was big for me."

Speaking to the media the following day after the win over Qarabag, Postecoglou was asked about how Bergvall had reacted to the incident and the Australian claimed that the starlet was "flying" in training.

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"No, but he’ll know that. We entrusted him with starting a really important game for us, so he knows how we feel about him," said Postecoglou. "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."

Before Tottenham return to Premier League action against West Ham, Bergvall will be looking to make his mark on the international stage with Sweden. Even if he plays or not, Tottenham's No.15 wants to contribute as much as he can.

"It's fun to come back," he said. "Two tough games now, especially against Slovakia. We will continue on the track we are on, I hope to contribute as much as I can even if I play or not."

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