Mateus: “I think this is the change point for everybody”
Mateus Fernandes pointed to the squad’s recent training camp in Marbella as a big contributing factor as the players aimed to ‘change the mentality’ going to Stamford Bridge.
Roberto De Zerbi took the squad and staff to work in Spain after the draw against United at Old Trafford on 10 October and ahead of our first win of the Premier League campaign against Coventry last Monday night.
That was followed by the best performance of the season with a dominant display against Chelsea and 2-0 win at the Bridge on Saturday.
Speaking to us afterwards, we asked Mateus – voted fans' Man of the Match - what a performance and victory like that could do for the squad.
“Marbella was very important for us as a team,” he said. “I think it builds a very good relationship with everyone, with the staff, with the team, with the team-mates. Now we're playing as a team. I think this is the change point for everybody. Now we keep going and we believe more than ever in our squad.”
We then put to Mateus that after the team playing well for spells in matches this season, this was the complete performance, as described by Roberto De Zerbi.
“It's a battle, a derby so you need to fight for every ball, every minute,” added Mateus. “We know that Tottenham don't have a lot of victories in this stadium. So, we wanted to change this mentality around the club, around the fans. We want to fight for big things, for titles.
“This is our challenge, so we keep going, keep going, keep going, working hard, believing in everyone in the club and doing the right things.”