Roberto de Zerbi spoke about a 1-1 draw between Tottenham and Leeds United.
The Whites were already safe, so all focus was on whether or not Spurs could pull away from West Ham, who were defeated 1-0 by Arsenal on Sunday. They took the lead through a brilliant effort from Mathys Tel, but an attempted overhead kick from the forward in his box led to an infringement that allowed Dominic Calvert-Lewin to equalise in the final twenty minutes of normal time.
‘When you fight relegation, you need to stay strong’
The head coach commented happily on the return of the team’s ten, who has been missing from action since the start of August with an ACL injury from preseason against Newcastle United. However, he cannot afford to relax too much, looking to take points from their clashes with Chelsea and Everton.
"We didn't play a great game. We played a good game. I think we deserved to win anyway but maybe the pressure, the crucial game, the crucial part of the season, we suffered too much. I am happy because I watched my players with the right spirit, with the right mentality.
"We made too many mistakes. If we want to win, we have to reduce the mistakes, but we know before this game it will be tough until the end of the season, until the last game. It is tough for us and tough for everyone.
“We have to consider the result and the performance. We played a good game. We are making points. The last four games we made eight points. Congratulations to Leeds, they played a great game, they have to play the last game at West Ham and we've no doubt they’ll play the same way.
“I did not see honestly. I didn't watch the Maddison penalty, maybe yes, maybe no. I heard my assistant, but I don't want to come inside a polemic. The referee was not calm today. Maybe he felt the pressure of yesterday? He is human and it can happen, but no problem. He was good on the pitch. We prepare the next two games.
"I am sorry for the penalty we conceded because Mathys Tel scored a great goal. He is very young and it is not a problem for me. I am happy for the attitude and mentality.
“[James Maddison] is a different player. We have had a lot of injuries, but we are good enough to stay up with these players.
"We didn't play well but fighting relegation is like this, you cannot play all games calm. We have to improve and change the habits, fighting relegation is different to fighting for the Champions League.
“[Mathys Tel] is young and is a talent. I will kiss him and hug him. He doesn't need too many words. He was sorry for the mistake, and it can happen to a young player.
"We deserve to stay up, and we fight until the end. When you fight relegation, you need to stay strong not with the legs but with the head."