Steven Bergwijn made his first League start for Tottenham Hotspur in over a month and was central to Jose Mourinho’s game plan on both ends of the pitch throughout the match.
Steven Bergwijn was sent home from international duty two weeks ago with the Netherlands but looked healthy and active Saturday evening for Tottenham Hotspur versus Manchester City. In his first start since coming off with a three-goal lead versus West Ham Steven Bergwijn was active and well deployed on both ends of the pitch. His efforts on both ends up the pitch over 72 minutes helped contribute to Spurs 2-0 win over Manchester City.
Bergwijn in the Attack for Spurs
Steven Bergwijn is known for his burst and power on the pitch, but today it was his positioning and precision that helped spur on the Tottenham attack. On the first goal we know Kane drew the two center-halves to create the space behind. In most instances that space does not really exist against Manchester City, because the speedy Kyle Walker can make up the gap.
On the goal Walker was held a bit wider and higher than Guardiola probably would have liked, because Bergwijn was pulling him towards the touchline. Just as City like to use Walker and Cancelo to pull the defenders wide and create space, Tottenham did that exact thing to the Sky Blues contributing to the first goal for Spurs.
On the goal that did not count, where Heung-Min Son fed Harry Kane for the tap-in; it was Steven Bergwijn leading the break and playing Son in. It was then as much Son’s unselfishness as Kane’s momentary lapse of awareness that kept the ball from scoring as Son had the angle to make it two, but clearly wanted to set up his teammate. Just an unlucky moment preventing an assist or hockey assist for Bergwijn.
Steven almost scored himself when he managed to receive a pass from Højbjerg in the box near 25 minutes. Bergwijn was ultimately muscled off the ball in what was termed a legal tackle by Rodri and the chance was gone.
Late on in the first half, Ndombele tried to play Bergwijn in over the top, but some alert defending got the ball headed back to Ederson before Steven could reach it. Then just before the half, Hugo Lloris claimed one of the 10 corners from City and quickly punted up to Bergwijn who earned Spurs a throw-in and spent some time until the break.
That over the top action at the end of the first half was a sign of things to come from Bergwijn in the second half. Mourinho moved the Dutchman inside to the #10 role that was previously occupied by Tanguy Ndombele. The intent here was to put more pace toward the top of the attack and give the City defense something else to think about.
Bergwijn on Defense Against City
Normally, Tottenham use their wings on defense to help with their press. However, in a match like Saturday where Spurs sat much deeper than usual in anticipation of City’s ball dominance Bergwijn’s role was a bit different. Sure, Steven pushed wide to help defend the fullback coming up the line, as he should, but he also often pinched just a bit more central in the first half, to keep tabs on Kevin De Bruyne.
It may have been overlooked, but it was Son on the right today and Bergwijn on the left. This was intentional as the Dutchman sat deeper than the South Korean to provide that additional support to Sergio Reguilón and Pierre Højbjerg on De Bruyne. The idea was to cut the spaces to get the ball to De Bruyne by surrounding him with the three Spurs in striking distance at any time.
Bergwijn had three clearances, which certainly helped, but him making tackles was not the point. The concept was to deny the ball in to De Bruyne and keep the ball in front of them with the City defense. Considering De Bruyne had only the sixth most touches on the team, I would say the plan worked well, particularly in the first half.
In the second half, Bergwijn and Ndombele did switch and Bergwijn’s defensive contributions came more in the form of his offensive threat over the top. With the two late long balls to end the first half and then the position change to be closer in his link-up with Kane; City had to respond, and it slowed the pace of their attack.
Steven Bergwijn came off the pitch at 73 minutes, he could do so knowing he did his part to perfection, helping the offensive click just enough and doing some tough tactical defending to keep the lead. Instead of Bale coming on for the last quarter hour for Bergwijn, this time it was Lucas Moura, demonstrating just how much business Mourinho thought was left in the match. The substitution was also a tip of the cap to Bergwijn’s defensive performance, which required the Brazilian’s energy to maintain. While Steven Bergwijn did not score today or get an assist, he did is part, which will be big in the weeks and months ahead for Tottenham Hotspur.