Tottenham: Ange Postecoglou provides Lucas Bergvall injury update after fresh Spurs blow | OneFootball

Midfielder picked up ankle injury training and missed Conference League semi-final win

Bergvall watched from the sidelines on crutches and wearing a protective boot on his right ankle as Spurs beat the Norwegians in their Europa League semi-final first leg in north London.

According to Postecoglou, the Sweden midfielder "tweaked" his ankle in training on Wednesday and the head coach says he does not know if the teenager will play again this season.

"It's too early to assess," Postecoglou said after the game."You know, it's just the way our season's gone on unfortunately, it's just hugely disappointing for Lucas, he was obviously really excited. He had a big week, re-signing [a contract] with the club and he's had such a great year for us.

"It's just the way our season's gone, where in training something innocuous like that ends up with him hurting his ankle. We'll just assess over the next few days, let it settle down and we'll find the extent of it."

Spurs got off to the perfect start against Glimt when Brennan Johnson headed them into a 38-second lead and a cute James Maddison finish and Dominic Solanke's penalty put them in total control of the tie.

But the visitors earned a potentially significant foothold ahead of next week's decider in Norway through a late Ulrik Saltnes strike.

Tottenham are in control of the semi-final tie at the halfway stage

AFP via Getty Images

"It puts us in a good position," said Postecoglou. "I thought the players were outstanding today, I thought our performance was everything it needed to be, really well organized and disciplined defensively and really calm going forward and created good opportunities for ourselves and maintaining pressure.

"Obviously they scored the goal late, which doesn't I think reflect our dominance in the game, but if we repeat that performance next week it'll be enough for us to get through."

Solanke and Maddison were both forced off injured with Spurs 3-0 up but Postecoglou hopes neither England international has suffered a serious problem.

"Madders felt a tweak in his knee, but it doesn't sound like it's anything serious, and Dom something similar in his quad, but both of them didn't feel it was anything too significant, but thought it was wise just to take them off at that point," the Australian said.

Postecoglou named the previously out-of-favour Yves Bissouma as Bergvall's replacement at the base of midfield while Richarlison started on the left wing for the first time since October 2023.

The two surprising picks were both vindicated as Richarlison made the opening goal with an unselfish header for Johnson, though the Brazilian was replaced by Mathys Tel at half-time, and Bissouma impressing.

"Richarlison wasn't injured, it was just a tactical thing," Postecoglou said. "He did a great job for us in the first half, exactly what we needed him to do, but we thought the game would open up in the second half and we got Mathys on for that.

"I thought Biss and Rodri [Bentancur] were outstanding. They were really key for us today. The beauty of Lucas is that he fills that sort of role really well from a defensive point of view and the reason I put Biss in there today, I knew that we were going to need that from him, the way Bodo set up and their ability to try and gain momentum as they build up their play. I thought him and Rodri were going to be key for us stemming that, and that's how it proved."