Tottenham Hotspur’s start to life under Roberto De Zerbi did not go to plan.
After West Ham’s win over Wolves saw Spurs drop into the Premier League’s bottom three, the pressure was on at the Stadium of Light.
But a 1-0 defeat to Sunderland meant Spurs remained 18th with just six games left to play.
Spurs sweat over Romero injury
The bad news keeps coming. It emerged after the game that centre-back Cristian Romero is struggling with a knee injury, the severity of which is not yet clear.
According to Argentine journalist Veronica Brunati, Romero is set to undergo a scan for a potential medial collateral ligament (MCL) injury after leaving the pitch in tears when he was substituted in the 70th minute.
He needed several minutes of treatment after a collision with goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky, before limping off and being replaced by Kevin Danso.
Spurs will hope it is something more innocuous, with an MCL injury almost certain to be a season-ender.
De Zerbi was asked about Romero’s status after the game, admitting his side cannot afford to lose their captain.
“We don't know yet, we have to see in the next game, in the next days,” he said. “I hope for us it's not too important [a] problem, because he's a crucial player for us, he's a good guy, good player, top player, big personality and we need him to finish the season and to achieve our goal.”
While Romero has been a part of an underperforming Spurs side throughout the season, he remains a key figure.
The Argentina international has been linked with a move in the summer, with rumours that Atletico Madrid or Real Madrid could soon be his next club.
If his injury is as severe as suggested, Romero might have played his final game for Spurs after five years in North London.
And if that is the case, De Zerbi will have to guide his team to safety without one of his most influential players.