Roberto De Zerbi believes Tottenham Hotspur are moving in the right direction despite their Carabao Cup elimination against Liverpool, but admitted his team must become more clinical in front of goal.
Roberto De Zerbi believes Tottenham Hotspur are moving in the right direction despite their Carabao Cup elimination against Liverpool, but admitted his team must become more clinical in front of goal.
While the loyal Tottenham fans got the goal they have been calling for, Spurs exited the competition following a 3-1 third-round defeat at Anfield. Alexis Mac Allister opened the scoring before Cody Gakpo doubled Liverpool’s lead shortly after half-time. Conor Gallagher’s back-post header gave Tottenham hope, but Dominik Szoboszlai settled the contest with a spectacular stoppage-time strike.
De Zerbi was frustrated by a result he considered harsh on his side. Tottenham attempted 17 shots and created several excellent chances, including opportunities for Lucas Bergvall, Mohammed Kudus and Omar Marmoush. The head coach stressed that Spurs must shoot more frequently, improve the quality of their attempts and finish clear chances.
The Italian also suggested that Tottenham have suffered from a lack of fortune during recent matches against Newcastle United, Nottingham Forest, Everton and Liverpool.
“We have to improve a lot of things.” De Zerbi said post-match.
Despite not being clinical in front of goal, De Zerbi remains convinced that his methods are beginning to produce encouraging football. He believes performances in recent matches show the team’s overall development is on track, even though the desired results and goals have not yet arrived.
The Italian head coach also highlighted Marmoush, Sávio, Kudus, Bergvall, Mateus Fernandes, Andrew Robertson, Pedro Porro and Dominic Solanke as players with real quality who will shine through once their fitness and physical condition reach the desired levels.
“I believe in my players.” James Maddison’s return from the bench was another important moment for Spurs. De Zerbi described the midfielder as a special, different type of player, but warned that Maddison must regain the physical condition needed to cope with the exceptional intensity of English football.
Martin Dúbravka also received support following his Tottenham debut. De Zerbi praised both his character and goalkeeping ability while accepting responsibility for tactical problems during the first half. Spurs persisted with short passing when Liverpool moved into a clear man-to-man press, and the head coach admitted they should have recognised the situation and changed their approach. He was nevertheless pleased with Dúbravka’s second-half display.
Kudus made his first start since January, another major positive for the Tottenham manager. De Zerbi believes the Ghana international can operate as a number ten, potentially giving him another way to combine Kudus with Sávio, Dejan Kulusevski, Solanke and Marmoush.
There was also encouraging injury news before Tottenham’s Premier League meeting with Aston Villa, with De Zerbi confirming that Porro should be available.
