Tottenham Hotspur’s 1-0 defeat away to Leeds was an undeniable step backwards for Roberto De Zerbi’s side, as they saw their three-game winning streak snapped with a meager performance at Elland Road on Saturday.
LEEDS 1-0 SPURS — Highlights & recap
Below is the latest De Zerbi reaction, speaking after Spurs were dominated for long stretches to start both halves before eventually conceding the winning goal to Leeds’ Noah Okafor after 79 minutes.
Roberto De Zerbi reaction: What did Spurs boss say after losing to Leeds?
“First half, we played well. In the second half, no, we deserved to lose the game. We lost all duels in the second half, we didn’t play like we can. It’s a journey for us because we can learn from this game. This game is another sport from the other games we have played, because their defensive space was different than the other games, but their was the solution, the space, the way to attack better and defend better without the ball, and I’m sorry for the result.
“First of all, I’m sorry for the performance in the second half. We didn’t play like a top team. We played without the right spirit, the right character, the right physicality in the duels.”
Why the difference from first to second half? “I don’t know, in the first half I think we created two or three chances to score. In the second half, I think it was the same game, nothing changed and there was the situation, the right spaces to play and find the solution. I don’t know.”
Not the first (or last) frustrating performance this season
Look, Spurs fans, there’s going to be a lot of that this season. Without a clear-cut no. 9 or no. 10 in the team, it’s going to be ugly more often than not — whether winning or losing. The backline and midfield are miles better without the ball than they have been for many seasons, and that makes them a more solid, tougher team to break down rather than to simply watch them wilt away, but that’s as good as it gets right now.
James’ Maddison is back, and then he’s gone, until he’s back and now he’s seemingly gone again. Spurs were hardly brilliant during his three-game run of fitness last month, but there were moments when you could see the ideas and the difference in quality in the final third. Saturday’s game was virtually identical to the first four or five this season, where Spurs weren’t able to create anything in the rare event they managed to keep the ball past the halfway line, and as a result they completed just two passes inside the penalty area within the width of the six-yard box despite having 61 percent of possession.
A foundation has been laid and the floor has been raised considerably, but Spurs’ ceiling remains quite low for this season.