Ange Postecoglou thinks ‘up-and-down’ player is now hitting Tottenham form
Ange Postecoglou was delighted with how two of his senior players stepped up in Tottenham’s 3-1 win over Bodo/Glimt in the first leg of the Europa League semifinal, especially given that one of those was introduced into the starting lineup on short notice.
Tottenham Hotspur fans were in for a rude shock when they saw the starting lineup on Thursday evening, with Lucas Bergvall missing from the matchday squad and Yves Bissouma getting the nod to start alongside Rodrigo Bentancur in the middle of the park.
It has since been confirmed that Bergvall has been ruled out for the rest of the season after picking up an ankle injury in training.
Given how important the Swede has been to the side over recent months and Bissouma’s continued struggles, some supporters might have feared the worst, but the Mali international delivered one of his best performances of the season, helping the home side dominate the midfield battle.
Ange Postecoglou praises Yves Bissouma and Rodrigo Bentancur
Spurs fans were left pleasantly surprised by Bissouma’s display against Bodo/Glimt as they got to see a version of the 27-year-old that they have very rarely seen in a Tottenham shirt this season.
Postecoglou showered praise on the former Brighton man and Bentancur for the way they closed down gaps and helped the home side build out from the back.
The Tottenham head coach insisted that despite Bissouma’s struggles this campaign, he never lost faith in the midfielder.
Postecoglou told Football.London: “I thought Biss and Rodri 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.
“I thought Biss was brilliant. Look, he’s had an up-and-down year like all of us, but I’ve still got full belief in him and full confidence that on a day like today, he could do a really good job for us and I thought he was outstanding.”
Can Yves Bissouma save his Tottenham career?
It has been widely reported that Bissouma’s Spurs career is about to come to an end this summer, especially given that the midfielder has just one year left on his contract.
However, Bergvall’s injury has given the Mali international a lifeline as he is now likely to play the second leg against Bodo/Glimt and potentially even the Europa League final.
If he can step up in those two games, which will be some of the biggest in Tottenham’s recent history, he might have a chance of getting a new contract.
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