Tottenham began the new season in the worst possible fashion as they were dismantled 3-0 by Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium. The defeat served as a sobering reality check for a side that has undergone significant investment over the summer. Despite the result, Tonali was quick to defend his manager and the vision being implemented in North London. The Italian midfielder emphasized that the transformation of the squad is a work in progress that requires patience from the fanbase and the board alike.
"He is giving us a lot—not just me, but all the players. He knows it will be a long process, but he’s 100% positive. He loves us and is recreating the soul that has crumbled a bit over the last few seasons. Positive about both our qualities and the kind of people we are. We’re human beings, and he’s gradually rebuilding the spirit that had somewhat crumbled over the last two seasons," Tonali told Sky Sport.
Individual performances were under the microscope; much of the scrutiny fell on Tonali, who arrived for a massive fee of £100 million to provide leadership and control in the engine room. However, the former Newcastle man struggled to influence proceedings, often looking isolated as the Brentford midfield swarmed around him. The lack of cohesion between the new signings was evident, as Andrew Robertson, Marcos Senesi, and Jan Paul van Hecke all endured difficult debuts alongside the Italian star.
"It’s tough because we lost, but it’s great to see that everyone cares, that everyone is on the same page. So now we just have to work; the only thing to do is stay united," Tonali said.
The match itself was a one-sided affair, with Brentford’s intensity proving too much for a sluggish Spurs outfit. The Bees took control early through Keane Lewis-Potter and never looked back, exposing the defensive frailties that have plagued Tottenham in recent years. De Zerbi admitted that his side was second best in almost every department, citing physical conditioning as a major hurdle. The manager noted that several key players were not yet at peak fitness following their participation in the World Cup or late arrivals during the transfer window.
"Bad game. We lost and suffered the difference in the duels. It was the key of this game. We didn't fight in the right way. Maybe credit to them because it's the best quality Brentford have," De Zerbi told BBC Sport's Match of the Day.
"Our physical condition was not in the right level for all players because many came later after the World Cup and there were many new players in the squad and first XI. But we have to analyse this game better because we can't play this way in this type of game."
The challenge for De Zerbi now is to ensure this result does not spiral into a wider crisis of confidence. Tottenham have finished 17th in the Premier League in each of the last two seasons, and the "losing mentality" that plagued his predecessors remains a significant hurdle. De Zerbi acknowledged the scale of the task ahead: "I am surprised for the result and performance. I knew we were not in the right condition. We can't find an excuse. I am sorry for the result and performance. We are starting a new project and we couldn't find the principle."