Ange Postecoglou reveals new major double Tottenham injury update for Europa League final
Ange Postecoglou has confirmed that Lucas Bergvall is not available for the Europa League final against Manchester United.
The Tottenham midfielder has travelled to Bilbao with the rest of the squad, sparking rumours that he could make a return from an ankle injury in time to feature on Wednesday night.
However, Postecoglou said at his pre-match press conference: "Team news is pretty much the same as last week. No, Lucas isn't available so same as we were as of last week."
On whether Pape Matar Sarr is available, after he came off in the second-half against Aston Villa on Friday night, Postecoglou added: 'He's fine.'
Bergvall has been out since last month's 5-1 defeat to Liverpool at Anfield and his absence has been exacerbated by further injury issues in the squad.
James Maddison picked up a knee injury in the first leg of the semi-final win over Bodo/Glimt to bring a premature end to this season, while Dejan Kulusevski will also miss the final.
The Swede limped off against Crystal Palace earlier this month and although it was initially suggested that the issue was not serious, a further update revealed Kulusevski required surgery on his right patella.
Postecoglou said last week: 'Obviously disappointing news. Initially we thought it wasn't too serious, the medical team were worried about structurally how the knee was. It blew up the day after, he's had surgery and it will put him out for a few months.
Asked if Kulusevski will be ready for the start of next season, the Spurs boss added: 'We'll see. I only have basic information in terms of his recovery.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New York Post
an hour ago
- New York Post
USMNT coach talking World Cup after loss to Turkey, the team's third straight defeat
A third straight loss didn't prevent Mauricio Pochettino from thinking big. 'We need to believe. We need to compete like today and for sure we're going to have the possibility to win the World Cup,' the U.S. coach said after the Americans lost their third straight game, wasting an early lead in a 2-1 defeat to Turkey in a friendly on Saturday. Jack McGlynn scored 59 seconds in for the U.S., which was missing many regulars as Pochettino revamped his roster following a dismal performance at the CONCACAF Nations League final four in March. Advertisement 5 Jack McGlynn (6) misses a shot on goal during the USA's 2-1 loss to Turkey at Pratt & Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field on June 7, 2025. David Butler II-Imagn Images Turkey took advantage of a sloppy defense as Arda Güler and Kerem Aktürkoğlu scored in a 2-minute, 20-second span midway through the first half. While the U.S. had 60% possession and outshot Turkey 13-11, the Americans dropped to 5-4 under Pochettino, who took over after first-round elimination at last year's Copa America led the U.S. Soccer Federation to fire coach Gregg Berhalter. Advertisement They have lost three straight for the second time in a year. 'Today, who is going to tell me, oh, we showed lack of, we showed lack of — lack of what today?' said Pochettino, a 53-year-old from Argentina who coached Tottenham, Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea. 'The team showed what (it) needed to show. … Playing in this way, they are going to win most of the games.' 5 United States head coach Mauricio Pochettino encourages his team during the first half their loss to Turkey in a friendly. AP Coaching a nation that hasn't reached the World Cup semifinals since 1930 or the quarterfinals since 2022, Pochettino changed eight starters from the Nations League loss to Canada in March and kept only left back Max Arfsten, winger Diego Luna and forward Patrick Agyemang. Advertisement 'Some guys that are coming in — and they're not thinking twice about taking someone on. It's not playing safe. It's like, let's take risks and try to go after this thing,' said midfielder Tyler Adams, who entered at the start of the second half. 'I think having fresh faces, guys that aren't fearless, young guys, that's going to help us.' With a year to go before co-hosting the World Cup, the U.S. plays Switzerland on Tuesday at Nashville, Tennessee, in another friendly, then opens the CONCACAF Gold Cup against Trinidad and Tobago on June 15. 5 Team USA celebrates after its first-half goal in their loss to Turkey. David Butler II-Imagn Images 'I am really sad because I think this group of players are working so hard and I think we deserve (a) better result today,' Pochettino said. 'I think we performed well. I think we're brave enough. I think the attitude was: Go and press, match in every single aspect a team like Turkey that is one of the best teams in the last year in Europe.' Advertisement Defender Alex Freeman, a 20-year-old son of former NFL All-Pro receiver Antonio Freeman, started in his U.S. debut. Matt Freese, a starter at Major League Soccer's New York City, made his debut in goal. Matt Turner, the usual starter since 2022, didn't play for Crystal Palace after March 1. 5 USA midfielder Luca de la Torre gives a frustrated reaction after a missed in the tea's loss to Turkey. David Butler II-Imagn Images Midfielder Quinn Sullivan and defender Nathan Harriel made debuts as 65th-minute substitutes. McGlynn scored when he ran onto a pass from Malik Tilman, took several touches, cut inside and curled a left-footed shot from just outside the penalty area inside the far post for his second goal in five international appearances. It was the earliest U.S. goal since Shaq Moore scored 20 seconds in against Canada during the 2021 CONCACAF Gold Cup. 5 Jack McGlynn (6) and teammates warm up before Team USA's loss to Turkey. David Butler II-Imagn Images Turkey tied it in the 24th minute when Freese tapped the ball to Johnny Cardoso, whose pass ricocheted off a leg and past Freese for Güler's fifth international goal. Advertisement Then in the 27th, Miles Robinson tried to clear Oğuz Aydın's shot and the ball went to Aktürkoğlu, who one-timed a bouncing shot past Freese for his 12th international goal and sixth in eight games. 'Of the goals that we concede, that created a big mess on the team,' Pochettino said.
New York Times
2 hours ago
- New York Times
Pochettino: Tottenham return ‘not realistic' despite Spurs job opening
EAST HARTFORD, Conn. – Mauricio Pochettino said Saturday night after the U.S. men's national team's 2-1 defeat to Turkey that a return to Tottenham Hotspur at this point in time was 'not realistic.' Asked by a reporter whether he had seen the rumors connecting him to the Spurs job, Pochettino was at first confused by the question. Had he seen the rumors, or was the reporter asking if he was going to take the job? Either way, his answer was clear. Advertisement Tottenham fired Ange Postecoglou on Friday despite his leading Spurs to the Europa League title, the club's first trophy in 17 years. The club also finished 17th in the Premier League with its worst points total and finish in the Premier League era. Pochettino's name has been batted around the betting odds to return to his old job, which he held from 2014-19 to great acclaim. The Argentine pointed out that since leaving Spurs, he has been connected to the Tottenham job each time it has opened. He also pointed out that lists of Spurs' candidates are always long, and his is just one of many names. Pochettino famously led Tottenham to the 2019 Champions League final. 'It's not realistic,' Pochettino said. 'And look at where I am, where [my staff] are.' Pochettino was talking after the U.S. suffered its third straight loss. The U.S. will play in the Gold Cup this summer and Pochettino is under contract through the end of the 2026 World Cup. As he walked off the press conference stage, Pochettino said the rumors are only there because, 'it's my club,' he said, meaning Tottenham. He touched his chest.
Hamilton Spectator
3 hours ago
- Hamilton Spectator
US coach Mauricio Pochettino says ‘We're going to have the possibility to win the World Cup'
EAST HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — A third straight loss didn't prevent Mauricio Pochettino from thinking big. 'We need to believe. We need to compete like today and for sure we're going to have the possibility to win the World Cup,' the U.S. coach said after the Americans lost their third straight game, wasting an early lead in a 2-1 defeat to Turkey in a friendly on Saturday. Jack McGlynn scored 59 seconds in for the U.S., which was missing many regulars as Pochettino revamped his roster following a dismal performance at the CONCACAF Nations League final four in March . Turkey took advantage of a sloppy defense as Arda Güler and Kerem Aktürkoğlu scored in a 2-minute, 20-second span midway through the first half. While the U.S. had 60% possession and outshot Turkey 13-11, the Americans dropped to 5-4 under Pochettino , who took over after first-round elimination at last year's Copa America led the U.S. Soccer Federation to fire coach Gregg Berhalter . They have lost three straight for the second time in a year . 'Today, who is going to tell me, oh, we showed lack of, we showed lack of — lack of what today?' said Pochettino, a 53-year-old from Argentina who coached Tottenham, Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea. 'The team showed what (it) needed to show. ... Playing in this way, they are going to win most of the games.' Coaching a nation that hasn't reached the World Cup semifinals since 1930 or the quarterfinals since 2022, Pochettino changed eight starters from the Nations League loss to Canada in March and kept only left back Max Arfsten, winger Diego Luna and forward Patrick Agyemang. 'Some guys that are coming in — and they're not thinking twice about taking someone on. It's not playing safe. It's like, let's take risks and try to go after this thing,' said midfielder Tyler Adams, who entered at the start of the second half. 'I think having fresh faces, guys that aren't fearless, young guys, that's going to help us.' With a year to go before co-hosting the World Cup, the U.S. plays Switzerland on Tuesday at Nashville, Tennessee, in another friendly, then opens the CONCACAF Gold Cup against Trinidad and Tobago on June 15. 'I am really sad because I think this group of players are working so hard and I think we deserve (a) better result today,' Pochettino said. 'I think we performed well. I think we're brave enough. I think the attitude was: Go and press, match in every single aspect a team like Turkey that is one of the best teams in the last year in Europe.' Defender Alex Freeman, a 20-year-old son of former NFL All-Pro receiver Antonio Freeman, started in his U.S. debut. Matt Freese, a starter at Major League Soccer's New York City, made his debut in goal. Matt Turner, the usual starter since 2022, didn't play for Crystal Palace after March 1. Midfielder Quinn Sullivan and defender Nathan Harriel made debuts as 65th-minute substitutes. McGlynn scored when he ran onto a pass from Malik Tilman, took several touches, cut inside and curled a left-footed shot from just outside the penalty area inside the far post for his second goal in five international appearances. It was the earliest U.S. goal since Shaq Moore scored 20 seconds in against Canada during the 2021 CONCACAF Gold Cup. Turkey tied it in the 24th minute when Freese tapped the ball to Johnny Cardoso, whose pass ricocheted off a leg and past Freese for Güler's fifth international goal. Then in the 27th, Miles Robinson tried to clear Oğuz Aydın's shot and the ball went to Aktürkoğlu, who one-timed a bouncing shot past Freese for his 12th international goal and sixth in eight games. 'Of the goals that we concede, that created a big mess on the team,' Pochettino said. ___ AP soccer:
