Two Tottenham Hotspur players are set to return to the matchday squad this weekend
Rodrigo Bentancur and Lucas Bergvall are set to return to the Tottenham Hotspur squad this weekend. The Lilywhites midfielders have missed each of their last three Premier League games through suspension and injury respectively, but could face Leeds United at Elland Road on Saturday afternoon.
Bentancourt was sent off for violent conduct during a tough draw with Manchester United last month and subsequently served a three-match ban. The player of the Uruguayan national team put his head in the face of Luke Shaw and caused a mass fight.
A few minutes earlier, he nailed a Red Devils defender. Bentancourt then collapsed under the noses of the supporters on the pitch at Old Trafford.
The Uruguayan stood up and confronted Shaw. Bentankura was shown a red card by Stewart Atwell after things ended, with Premier League Match Center confirming the “head movement” “with some force”.
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Bergvall was beaten before the 29-year-old was given his marching orders. Ironically, the Swedish international was replaced by Bentancourt after less than a quarter of an hour.
Speaking to reporters last month, De Zerbi confirmed that Bergvall has a knee problem. The Spurs coach said: “Bergvall had problems at the first chance in Manchester. [Dominic] Solanke.
“He felt pain in his knee but felt fine and came to the training ground on Sunday and will be out for two weeks.”
Although Bentancourt earned himself a three-match ban, De Zerbi was delighted with the friendly action that followed. Speaking to reporters at Old Trafford a few weeks ago, the Italian said: “I kissed Rodrigo and thanked him.
“It’s clear that it’s Rodrigo’s mistake because it’s not the right reaction in football, but now Tottenham have to react. Sometimes the reactions are not nice, not positive for the team, but I think at that moment, with 10 players, maybe we played more courageously.”
“We played with more energy and changed the game and for a long time Tottenham played without that blood, that character. Now I’m a coach and I want to see that character in every game. Because in the second half, Manchester United showed character.
“Not only will we win the game with the quality, the quality, the character, the right energy, I think we will win a lot of games and score a lot of goals.”
Bentancourt sparked a reaction from De Zerbi’s coveted squad. Since then, Tottenham have won each of their next three Premier League games to finish in the top half of the table for the first time this season.
While Spurs have done well in the absence of the Uruguayan and Bergwall, De Zerbi will be delighted to welcome the two midfielders back into the matchday squad this weekend. Just need to figure out who will play in the middle of the park…