Spurs 2-0 Palace | Every word of Roberto De Zerbi’s post-match press conference
Roberto De Zerbi spoke to the media at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium after our 2-0 win against Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Saturday.
Here’s what he had to say…
What did you make of the performance? It was still tough with the way Palace were organised…
Roberto: “I'm very happy with the performance, because we showed to be mature team, with clear ideas. We didn't concede a counter-attack, maybe just one in the second half. We created many, many chances. If we want to follow the perfection, we have to be more... nasty. That is an individual thing, because if I'm number 9, number 10, I want to score, but I can't say nothing. We are improving the physical condition. Tonali today was unbelievable, incredible. We played with two players more - Tonali was the double today. We are improving with Archie Gray, with Robertson, the two central backs very good, to take the command of the game. Mateus Fernandes, another very good performance. Marmoush, Solanke, very well, especially when we lost the ball. So, it's a clear signal that they were inside of the game. Kudus, Mathys, very well. They are improving and the team is improving.”
What did you think of van Hecke’s goal – his reaction from the floor?
Roberto: “Van Hecke is a tough character, tough personality. I'm very happy for him.”
Luca Williams-Barnett – how happy does that make you to bring on a young player for his Premier League debut?
Roberto: “My career is clear, when I work, when I have young, talented players, nothing changes. I thought it was the right moment for him, because he is the first game in the Premier League, but as a quality, he’s a big, big talent.”
He played so well when he came on…
Roberto: “Luca? Yes. He is a very, very great talent, very young, but a great talent.”
Do you think the confidence is at the highest point since you took over?
Roberto: “I think even before the national break we were playing well. We were playing maybe not 90 minutes, but many parts of that game we played very well. We didn't score, we conceded a stupid goal and then we lost energy, we lost spirit, we lost the right union between the players. If we compare Tottenham before the national break and Tottenham after the national break, now we are playing as a team. Before the national break we were playing as many very good players, but not as a team.”
Was Archie Gray’s substitution an injury, or tactical?
Roberto: “No, the yellow card. I didn't want to take a risk for another yellow card. I'm sorry, because he was playing very well. I explained why I took the decision, but I think it was the right decision in that moment.”
You spoke about nastiness – how do you get that into your team?
Roberto: “I don't know, because today we won 2-0, but 28 shots. I think we played also very well because many times against 10 players, not 11, it's always difficult to find the space. The spaces are very small, you have to move the ball quickly to put the ball from Mathys Tel to Kudus to move the opponent. If you want to play between the lines, you have to be perfect. Otherwise, you lose the ball and you concede a counter-attack. For example, the second goal, we know very well that situation, the ball on the second post. Also, in the first half, Mathys Tel put the ball for Kudus in the same goal. I think we can be more precise in that situation if we want to score more goals.”
Before the international break, it might have been the Villa game where you said the team was fragile – do you sense that fragility has now gone?
Roberto: “At the moment, yes, but we can't forget, as I said to the players before the game and in the half-time, we can't forget where we have been two weeks ago. Two weeks ago, before the Coventry game, we were last on the table and we can't forget. I think this is the crucial part, the crucial aspect for this team. Then, playing with freedom, enjoying with the ball, attacking many players, no problem - but we can't forget where we were two weeks ago.”
It feels like Archie Gray deserved that goal…
Roberto: “He's improving a lot. I don't know, after Manchester United, he's playing very, very well, as a mature player - also the team. Today, the best thing of the team, they showed to be mature. They knew what we had to do with the ball, not to take stupid risks and to concede counter-attack, even with one player more. I think the style of Crystal Palace didn't change for the red card. I knew before the game it could be a very tough, tough game, because now we are improving in the principle, we are improving in the quality of the play. Maybe now we are not ready yet to play against one low block so close, so aggressive, in so small spaces. It's not easy for the top teams, maybe for us in this moment. Maybe in two, three months we can reach the right level to play better against one low block, but now it's very tough.”
Pedro Porro and Destiny Udogie picked up important minutes – when will they be ready to start?
Roberto: “Pedro is ready. We didn't take risks, speaking with him, he decided before the game, he was very honest with me and I appreciate that a lot because the Premier League is 38 games, not one game. With Udogie, hopefully we can work many weeks in a row. Until now, it was not possible.”