De Zerbi Dismisses Concerns About Tottenham’s Home Form
Roberto De Zerbi has dismissed concerns that the atmosphere at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium is too comfortable for his team, insisting that the club can overcome their poor home record in the Premier League. The north London side has struggled to secure a win at home this season, with only two victories in the division so far. Their last home win came on December 6, and they remain without a win in their recent matches at the stadium.
Despite these challenges, De Zerbi remains confident that the team can turn things around. He pointed out that the stadium is not the issue, highlighting that many other grounds in the Premier League are also well-maintained and have strong atmospheres. “Tottenham’s stadium is hot,” he said. “When I was in this stadium with Brighton, or against Brighton two weeks ago, the stadium was very, very hot.”
He added that the support from fans plays a crucial role in the team’s performance. “The bottom of the table, 60,000 fans to support you, to push you, to stay before the game, during the game, after the game, we have been very close with the fans,” De Zerbi explained. “I think it’s luck for us.”
European Success Offers Hope
De Zerbi also pointed to Tottenham’s strong home record in European competitions as evidence that the current situation is an anomaly. The club has gone 25 matches without a loss at home in Europe this season. “I think it was a coincidence,” he said. “Against Atletico Madrid, they won at home. Against Borussia Dortmund in January, they won at home. If you ask me against Brighton? We won, but we didn’t take three points. We took one point, but we won in my head as a performance.”
He emphasized the importance of focusing on the positives rather than the setbacks. “If we keep the focus on this (poor home form) part, it’s a mistake,” De Zerbi added.
Kinsky’s Resilience Sets the Tone
One player who has shown resilience is goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky, who had a difficult performance in Madrid last month but has since bounced back. With Guglielmo Vicario still sidelined due to hernia surgery, Kinsky will continue to be the first-choice keeper for the upcoming match against Leeds.
De Zerbi praised Kinsky’s character and professionalism. “He has a big character, a big personality, a great guy, a great professional and a great keeper. He’s playing very well. He has to stay focused and don’t take risks in any situation, but he’s playing very well. He’s very important for us now,” he said.
“He has been an example. Of course what he felt after Madrid, for sure was a big motivation for him.”
Kulusevski’s Future Uncertain
De Zerbi also addressed the situation of Dejan Kulusevski, who has been struggling with a right patella injury. Despite not making any appearances in the past 12 months, Kulusevski has targeted a place in Sweden’s World Cup squad. “For me it is difficult to understand how he can play the World Cup if he didn’t play any game this season,” De Zerbi said. “But I texted him after (Aston Villa), and he told me the next week I think he will come back (in the country).”
He expressed hope that Kulusevski could be available for the final game of the season. “I hope he can be available to stay with us because he’s an amazing player,” De Zerbi added.
Looking Ahead
As Tottenham prepare for their next challenge against Leeds, De Zerbi remains focused on the task ahead. His confidence in the team’s ability to overcome their struggles at home is clear, and he believes that with the right mindset, the club can secure their survival in the Premier League.
With key players like Kinsky showing resilience and others working their way back from injury, the manager is optimistic about the future. The coming matches will be crucial in determining whether Tottenham can finally break their home form and finish the season on a positive note.
