The passionate Italian manager issued a brutally honest warning to his disappointed players following absolute late heartbreak against the visiting Seagulls on April 18.
The loyal N17 faithful suffered another brutal blow this Saturday evening. Tottenham Hotspur dropped maximum points during a chaotic 2-2 draw against Brighton and Hove Albion. Pedro Porro headed the hosts in front after thirty nine minutes. He finished a gorgeous cross from Xavi Simons.
The Dutch playmaker then rattled the post shortly afterwards. That missed opportunity proved incredibly costly when Kauro Mitoma smashed a volleyed equaliser deep into first half added time. The anxious hosts retook the lead in the seventy-seventh minute, after Lucas Bergvall brilliantly won possession high up the pitch.
Simons seized the loose ball and fired a magical twenty-yard strike directly off the woodwork. Absolute scenes of jubilation followed. The visitors ultimately delivered a brutal hammer blow. Georginio Rutter pounced in the ninety-fifth minute to equalize.
Roberto De Zerbi orders Tottenham squad to smile despite terrifying Premier League survival battle
Roberto De Zerbi faced official club media channels afterward. “We played very well,” the passionate Italian manager noted. “I think we deserved to win this game. I’m disappointed just for the players and the fans.” He told the dressing room they have time enough to reach the target.
The manager explicitly ordered the squad not to be sad and not to be negative. “We have to be strong and to be positive,” he demanded. He expects them to arrive on Monday afternoon with a smile. “Otherwise, they don’t work with me,” he warned reporters.
De Zerbi heavily praised the aggressive high pressing system utilized throughout the evening. He believes they can press higher again and improve with the ball. The boss, interestingly, admitted they are not currently working heavily on defensive build up sequences at this exact moment.
“I don’t want to give too much information, to give too much instruction,” he explained. He desires total confidence and absolute freedom instead. The North Londoners must maintain this incredible mentality and spirit to secure safety soon. Escaping the drop zone requires a complete collective belief.