Roberto De Zerbi’s next trick will be to try to erase Tottenham’s dismal home form.
The Italian has made a spectacular debut, stopping a 15-game Premier League losing streak and winning again at Aston Villa after Wolverhampton Wanderers.
The enigma of Spurs’ terrible home form remains unsolved, but he has dispelled the gloom and rekindled hope that the team can overcome the decline and create a better future.
Of their 37 points, 26 have come away from home. Since Brentford visited on December 9, they have only won two of their 17 league games at home, lost ten, and failed to get three points in the N17. “A coincidence,” De Zerbi remarked as Leeds fell. Maybe it has made it easier for him to do his magic from a distance, away from the stress of a sizable, eager, and frequently nervous audience.
Out of his first four games as manager, three have been away. His lone home game was against Brighton, where an equaliser late in stoppage time prevented Spurs from winning.
But the last three games of this forgettable season will all take place in London, with a trip to Chelsea the next week and a final home match against Everton.
Roberto De Zerbi has to banish Tottenham’s dismal home form for his next trick.
This season, Tottenham has struggled at their opulent new stadium.
“They won in the Champions League, against Borussia Dortmund in January, and against Atletico Madrid,” De Zerbi remarked, attempting to make sense of it all.
In my opinion, we prevailed over Brighton. We didn’t take three points, but we did win. In my mind, we prevailed even though we lost by one point. In terms of performance, the match versus Brighton is comparable to a victory.
However, after victories at Wolves and Villa, he would rather focus on the continuity. “I don’t want to lose energy,” De Zerbi stated.Focusing on this is a mistake. “Then we can analyse why we have not won too many games at home, what were the problems at home,” the statement reads. “We have to be good, be smart, keep this mentality, keep this momentum with the same qualities we showed in this last period.”
“No, because there are a lot of big, very nice stadiums, like theatres in the Premier League,” De Zerbi remarked, dismissing the idea that the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium is too nice, that it comforts his own players, and that it motivates visiting teams. It’s scorching at Tottenham’s stadium. The stadium was really hot when I came here with Brighton and two weeks ago against Brighton. “The atmosphere was amazing, with 60,000 fans to support you, to push you before the game, during the game, after the game, very close to the players.” “We are lucky to play in this stadium.” It’s a coincidence that we aren’t scoring many points. I’m not sure why, but playing in that stadium is definitely enjoyable.
However, the north London strugglers now have hope after defeating Wolves and Aston Villa on the road.
Spurs’ fortunes have significantly improved since Rodrigo Bentancur returned.
A generation of Tottenham fans will be reminded of the night Alfie Conn sat on the ball by Leeds’ visit and the possibility of avoiding relegation.
Terry Neill’s Spurs were next to bottom on a Monday night in April 1975, two days after their competitors for the relegation had concluded their games. In the former Division One, they required a point to survive.
After a terrible title defence, the Leeds team was safe in midtable and focused on the forthcoming European Cup final in Paris versus Bayern Munich. Among the celebrities who did not perform at White Hart Lane were Allan Clarke, Gordon McQueen, and Johnny Giles.
As Spurs surged ahead, Conn shined. In March, former Spurs defender Terry Naylor told Daily Mail Sport, “We were going along nicely when Alfie sat on the ball. Billy Bremner came marching over to me and said, ‘Hey, Terry, he tries anything like that again and we start playing.”
“Aye, all right, Billy,” I said. Then, from what must have been forty yards out, Peter Lorimor hammers the ball into the top corner. I went straight to Alfie and asked, “Will you please turn it in?””
Following the game, Conn followed instructions and apologised to the Leeds players. “It’s not my proudest moment,” he said in his 2024 autobiography. The gallery was enjoying the music I was playing for them. They had nothing to celebrate that year, for crying out loud.
Conn was praised as the new favourite of the supporters as Spurs triumphed 4-2, avoided relegation, and celebrated enthusiastically.
Less impressed were Luton, who lost. Harry Haslam, their supervisor, was incensed because he believed something bad had happened at White Hart Lane. Leeds hadn’t tried, according to Haslam.
More than any tactical magic, De Zerbi’s charisma and leadership have brought him success.
Rodrigo Bentancur’s prompt return has also been crucial.
Spurs are winning again at the same time that Bentancur returns from a three-month absence due to a hamstring injury.
He is the cornerstone of the midfield because, in addition to his technical prowess, he possesses defensive instinct and tactical savvy. They have only won one of the twelve Premier League games they have played without him this season.
Among Spurs’ midfield alternatives, his ability to pass the ball and maintain order when in possession is rather uncommon. Something that must enrage a coach who appreciates possession as much as De Zerbi.
His background is also significant. Uruguayans have a tendency to be cynical, which protects them from any retaliation.
Bentancur provides threat in the air during set pieces and adds physical presence and aerial strength to the midfield.
De Zerbi describes him as “a complete player” and praises the way he maintains the team’s “order” and “balance.”
Early in the season, when Thomas Frank teamed Bentancur with Joao Palhinha in central midfield, Spurs were prone to losing fluidity, playing forward too slowly, and being exposed when opponents pushed high.
The Bentancur-Palhinha axis appeared solid at Villa Park, and Spurs have learned when to be direct under De Zerbi.
Another player who has made an outstanding comeback since Guglielmo Vicario’s hernia surgery and erased memory of his errors at Atletico Madrid is backup custodian Antonin Kinsky.
“There was definitely a lot of motivation for him after Madrid,” De Zerbi stated. “You have pride, dignity, spirit, and character, and he possesses all these qualities.” “He is a big character, big personality.” Fantastic goalie, fantastic professional, and fantastic man. He is playing really well and is crucial to us, but he must maintain concentration and avoid taking chances in any circumstance.
Vicario, the top player, has not yet returned to full training and is anticipated to go for Inter Milan in the summer.
“Vicario remains Tottenham’s first custodian,” stated De Zerbi. However, we must take into account his physical state, the time frame, and the number of games he missed. We’ll see when Vicario is well.
