Roberto De Zerbi's Spurs slumped to a heavy defeat at Brentford on the opening day of the Premier League season, with the new-look side capitulating under pressure.
De Zerbi's role at Spurs is more that of a psychologist than a coach, and his team's performance at the Gtech Community Stadium on Saturday suggests that all the money in the world may not be enough to cure their losing mentality. The Italian has been given vast funds to rebuild the squad, but it took just one game to prove that a huge transfer fund is no guarantee of success.
Spurs fans had been bursting with optimism before the game, welcoming their new recruits raucously. But by the final whistle, they were left to wonder if the £100m spent on Sandro Tonali had been a waste of money. The Italian midfielder was utterly outshone and overpowered by Brentford's record buy Mamadou Sangare, who was the game's outstanding performer.
De Zerbi gave debuts to four of his new acquisitions, including Tonali, Andrew Robertson, Marcos Senesi, and Jan Paul van Hecke. None of them distinguished themselves, although neither did any others. Tonali's only memorable contribution was a first-half attempt on goal that flew horribly skywards, prompting the inevitable suggestion from Brentford supporters that Spurs had wasted their money.
The lack of heart and fight shown by Spurs was De Zerbi's biggest concern. From the first minute, they cracked under the first sign of pressure, Brentford sensing their weakness as they hunted down a side they clearly felt could be exposed. The contest was effectively over when Keane Lewis-Potter broke the deadlock after 12 minutes, with Vitaly Janelt doubling their lead before half-time.
De Zerbi cut a frustrated, animated figure as he tried to enliven Spurs, but heads were down, physical challenges lost, and desperation their trademark. The team's performance was a far cry from the optimism that had greeted the new season. De Zerbi will need to get into the heads of his players to give them strength and steel – something that cannot be achieved with a wave of the chequebook.
Spurs' recent seasons have been marked by a pattern of defeat and despair. De Zerbi's predecessors, Ange Postecoglou, Thomas Frank, and Igor Tudor, have all struggled to turn the team around. De Zerbi's comments after the game suggested that he knew his team was not in the right condition, but he is determined to improve their organisation and pressing.
The defeat at Brentford will be a major concern for Spurs, who will need to regroup and refocus for their next game. De Zerbi will be looking to his team to show more heart and fight, and to find the principle that will drive them forward. The Italian coach will be under pressure to deliver results, and he will need to get his team to gel quickly if they are to avoid another disappointing season.
De Zerbi's words after the game were telling: "I am surprised for the result and performance. I knew we were not in the right condition. We can't find an excuse. I am sorry for the result and performance. We are starting a new project and we couldn't find the principle." The Italian coach will be hoping that his team can find that principle quickly, or else they may be in for another long and difficult season.
Source: Yahoo Sports