Why Ange Postecoglou is earning praise after Lucas Bergvall's 'dream' Champions League debut for Tottenham that left Wayne Rooney hugely impressed

Bergvall was handed his first Champions League start by Frank in Tottenham’s 1-0 win over Villarreal. The teenager made an immediate impact, forcing an early own goal from goalkeeper Luiz Junior. Spurs rode that breakthrough to secure three points in their opening league phase match.

While Frank is the man steering Spurs now, much of the credit for Bergvall’s maturity is being directed towards Postecoglou. The Australian gave Bergvall crucial minutes last season, helping him adapt to Premier League demands. That faith laid the foundation for Tuesday’s dream debut, with Bergvall himself saying: “A dream come true. First Champions League game, at home in front of you and a win. Something I've dreamed of since I was a kid.”

Additionally, he also said on Tottenham's official channels: “Yeah, [playing in the Champions League] has been a dream since I was a young kid to play here and in front of the supporters at home, and a win could not be better.”

Wayne Rooney was among those to heap praise on the Swedish midfielder after his performance. The Manchester United legend told Amazon Prime Video: "Sometimes you forget how young he is because he played a lot of games last season, and the maturity with which he plays is fantastic."

He continued: "So he shows different sides to his game this season, last season he played a bit deeper, and to play as a number ten is not easy, it's not easy to get on the ball and be in the right positions, but I thought today he showed the different side to his game, which will only improve him in the future."

Tottenham will look to build momentum from their winning start as they continue their Champions League journey. Frank will hope Bergvall’s form adds creativity to his squad while keeping him grounded in a long season. With the foundation laid by Postecoglou and the guidance of Frank, Spurs may finally have a star ready to shine on Europe’s grand stage.