Spurs 2-2 Brighton | Roberto De Zerbi’s verdict
Roberto De Zerbi said the players ‘have to believe’ after an impressive display against Brighton was denied maximum points by a late equaliser as it finished 2-2 at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday evening.
Pedro Porro headed the opener from Xavi Simons’ cross on 39 minutes and Xavi struck the post soon after, only for Kauro Mitoma to volley home Brighton's equaliser in added time at the end of the first half.
Xavi produced a moment of magic to fire home off the post from 20 yards after Lucas Bergvall won possession to spark scenes of jubilation on 77 minutes. However, the visitors had the final word in the 95th minute when Georginio Rutter pounced for a hammer blow equaliser.
Speaking to us afterwards, Roberto reflected: “We played very well. I think we deserved to win this game. I'm disappointed just for the players and the fans because, for me, nothing changes. I'm positive. I believe in my players, not just now after this game, but before coming here.
“We have time enough to reach the target. We have the qualities enough to reach the target. We have to be strong and to be positive and not to be sad and not to be negative and to help inside on the pitch, the changing room, to keep this atmosphere and to come on Monday afternoon with a smile. Otherwise, they don't work with me.
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“I said like this inside the dressing room because after one game like this, after the mentality and the spirit they showed, now we have to believe in the target.”
Asked how pleased he was that both of our goals came from high pressure, Roberto added: “I'm pleased for the pressure. I think we can press higher again. We can play better with the bal. We can improve with the ball. We are not working so much in the build-up, because I don't want to give too much information, to give too much instruction. They have to play with confidence and freedom.”