Tottenham Hotspur secured a 4-2 penalty shootout victory over Sydney FC at Allianz Stadium after their pre-season match ended in a 1-1 draw. The game saw a mix of established players and 10 academy players feature for Spurs.
Spurs forward Mathys Tel opened the scoring in the 29th minute with a free-kick from 25 yards. However, Sydney FC equalised 10 minutes into the second half following an error by Kota Takai, allowing Takahiro Sekine to score. In the subsequent penalty shootout, Sydney’s Joe Lacey hit the post, and Martin Dubravka saved Alex Popovic’s effort. Sandro Tonali, debutant Andy Robertson, and Dane Scarlett successfully converted their penalties to secure the win for Tottenham.
Bergvall’s Future at Tottenham
Manager Roberto de Zerbi addressed the future of midfielder Lucas Bergvall, stating he has advised the Sweden international to remain with the club. Despite receiving offers from Premier League rivals Newcastle and Nottingham Forest, Bergvall started the match against Sydney FC. De Zerbi acknowledged past mistakes in handling Bergvall during a challenging period at the end of the previous season, which saw him guide Spurs to safety on the final day with a win over Everton.
Reports suggest that Bergvall has expressed a desire to leave Tottenham. De Zerbi affirmed his wish for the player to stay, describing him as a potentially “top, top, top player.” However, he also clarified that he would not attempt to convince any player to remain if they were unwilling. The manager highlighted the strong competition within the squad, emphasising the need for a robust team of 21 or 22 high-level players, rather than just 11, especially given the numerous injuries suffered in recent seasons.
Bergvall reportedly seeks to play in a deeper midfield role, a position he occupied during the 1-1 draw alongside Archie Gray. However, the arrivals of club-record signings Matheus Fernandes for £85m from West Ham and Sandro Tonali for £100m from Newcastle have created further uncertainty regarding his place in the team. De Zerbi stated that he cannot guarantee a starting position for any player, including Bergvall, and stressed the importance of improving in various aspects of play, particularly in the central midfield role.
The Italian coach also mentioned that if Bergvall insists on leaving, CEO Vinai Venkatesham and sporting director Johan Lange would need to facilitate an exit on terms favourable to Spurs. De Zerbi reiterated his desire for players to have the right spirit to stay with the club, but acknowledged that he cannot force anyone to remain.
Squad Management and Pre-Season Preparations
Several key players, including James Maddison, Destiny Udogie, Kevin Danso, Dominic Solanke, Fernandes, Jan Paul van Hecke, and Micky van de Ven, were not involved in the match against Sydney FC. De Zerbi explained that the physical condition varies among players, with some, like Archie Gray, Ben Davies, Tonali, and Mateus Fernandes, being ready for longer playing times. Other players, such as Conor Gallagher, Mathys Tel, Manor Solomon, and Richarlison, are working to improve their fitness levels.
The manager compared Tottenham’s situation to other top clubs like Chelsea and Liverpool, noting that teams with many players who participated in the World Cup are dedicating similar efforts to prepare their squads. De Zerbi also mentioned that the transfer market is not yet closed for Tottenham, with the club aiming to bring in a couple more players to strengthen the attacking positions. The club has already made significant investments, including £237m on new signings, with Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandes joining for a combined £185 million, and £52 million spent on Brighton centre-back Jan Paul van Hecke. Additionally, Andy Robertson, Marcos Senesi, and Martin Dubravka were secured on free transfers.
De Zerbi expressed satisfaction with the early transfer activity, highlighting the importance of integrating new and existing players into the team’s methodology and style of play. He also provided an update on injured players, stating that Mohammed Kudus is nearing a return and is expected to be available upon the team’s return to London. Dejan Kulusevski’s return timeline is still being assessed over the next couple of weeks, while Vicario is recovering from a minor injury that requires him to stay in London for a week. The team is focused on improving physical condition and player connections ahead of the Premier League season.
The pre-season tour also included a match against Auckland FC, which De Zerbi viewed as an important opportunity for the team to play seriously and avoid injuries, especially after a long journey. He stressed that despite the travel, the team’s focus remains on preparing for the upcoming Premier League season.
The manager also spoke about the importance of young players, stating that he evaluates them based on their qualities, attitude, and behaviour, rather than just their age. He emphasized that every game, even pre-season friendlies, should be approached with seriousness, providing a platform for younger talents to demonstrate their abilities. The pre-season match against Sydney FC concluded with a Tottenham Hotspur victory in the penalty shootout.
Source: bbc.com
