Roberto De Zerbi
Roberto De Zerbi, the newly appointed manager of Tottenham Hotspur, expressed mixed emotions following his team’s draw against Brighton. Despite securing his first point as the Spurs manager, De Zerbi admitted that the result felt more like a defeat, given the nature of Brighton’s late equalizer. The Italian manager remains optimistic about Tottenham’s survival prospects and has set ambitious targets for the remainder of the season.
Roberto De Zerbi said: “Yeah, yes, because we played a good game. Brighton is a very good team. In this moment, they are playing very well. But I think we deserve to win the game, especially if you consider we conceded a goal in extra time when losing one ball in our possession. But anyway, I’m very proud for the performance of my players. I’m very proud because they gave all of them their best, with the right mentality, with the right blood, with the right character. We played well with the ball. We played maybe better in the first half without the ball because in the second half we suffered too much with the ball possession. But in the first half, we regained a lot of ball. When we scored with Pedro Porro, we regained the ball very high. And I’m disappointed just for the result, for my players and for the fans, because it was an incredible atmosphere today.”
De Zerbi’s comments highlight his satisfaction with the team’s performance, despite the disappointment of conceding a late goal. He emphasized the importance of maintaining a positive mindset and playing with courage, rather than resorting to defensive tactics.
Roberto De Zerbi continued: “He played very well. A great game. I think he can play better and better, because a player like this, he needs to feel confidence from the manager. And I stay here to transfer all the confidence he needs. Because [when] I was a player, I was number 10, and I think I know what he thinks, because I thought the same when I was a player. I think I’m lucky to have this player on my team, but also he’s lucky because with number 10, I can understand better than other coaches.”
De Zerbi praised Xavi Simons for his outstanding performance, noting the young player’s potential for growth. He expressed his commitment to nurturing Simons’ confidence and development, drawing on his own experiences as a former player.
Roberto De Zerbi added: “Yes, I always thought and believed in the quality of the players. They played a good game, I think we can play better than today with much more quality and more calm, especially when we are in possession, but in this moment we need this spirit, this attitude and this mentality. It is not finished yet. We have another five games. It is tough. Every one of us knows it is a tough moment, it is a difficult situation, but we have another five games and 15 points. This team is able to win five games in a row. Now it is difficult to hear my words, but if you watch the players and analyse the level of the players, I think we can win five games in a row. Not to be arrogant because I am not arrogant, especially now but we have the quality enough to fight and win games in a row.”
Looking ahead, De Zerbi remains confident in Tottenham’s ability to secure victories in their remaining fixtures. He emphasized the importance of maintaining a positive attitude and focusing on each game individually, urging his players to believe in their capabilities.
In summary, Roberto De Zerbi’s debut as Tottenham manager may have ended in a draw, but his optimism and belief in his squad’s potential are evident. As Spurs face the challenge of securing their Premier League status, De Zerbi’s leadership and strategic vision will be crucial in guiding the team through the final stretch of the season.
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