Here's every single word the Tottenham Hotspur head coach said after the defeat to Newcastle United in the Premier League on Saturday
Roberto De Zerbi had plenty to get off his chest at his press conference following Tottenham's 2-0 loss to Newcastle in the Premier League on Saturday evening.
After a goalless first half with Spurs having the better chances and the majority of the possession, Anthony Elanga opened the scoring for Newcastle against the run of play on 62 minutes. A long ball down the right was headed across by Amar Dedic and Elanga turned Sandro Tonali, up against his old side, and fired a shot in off the left-hand post.
Ten minutes later the visitors doubled their advantage as substitute Nick Woltemade headed a corner into the six-yard box and Yoane Wissa flicked the ball past Spurs goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky.
Tottenham, despite having Omar Marmoush making his debut up front, never really looked like grabbing a goal back in the final 15 minutes.
Our Spurs correspondent Alasdair Gold was among those putting the questions to De Zerbi after the match. Here's the full transcript from the press conference at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
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How frustrated are you at the lack of cutting edge up front?
No, I'm disappointed for the result, and I'm sorry for the fans, for the environment, because after two defeats, maybe somebody can think it's the same story, the same as the last two seasons. I have no doubt it's not like this. I think I can't change my opinion after two defeats.
I have a big, big confidence in the qualities of my players. At the end, when we become a team, when we improve the connection between the players, when we improve the quality of the play, when we improve the defensive space, the distances between the attackers, defenders, midfielders, when we create a team, this group, with me or with another coach, nothing changes, because they are too good players.
I'm sorry for the club, because they are building a great squad, but maybe now we are not ready yet, for many, many reasons. We are not ready yet, for many reasons, but today, I think, until the first goal, we played better than Newcastle. Newcastle is a good team, good coach, good player, good at everything, but we created more chances to score, we shot more times, we had the control of the ball more than Newcastle.
We suffered too much in two or three situations in the first half, because the distance between the attackers and defenders was too big, too much space, and then after the goal we conceded, I think we lost the confidence. The reaction was not good enough, not the reaction I want to see on the pitch, and I said immediately after the end of the game, the players, because when you are building something new, it's tough, there are problems, the difference is how you want to find the solution of these problems, and the solution is not to put down the head, but to react, because we had 20 minutes again to score one, two or maybe three goals.
You said you wanted to sign one more player in a specific position, is that an attacker?
No, we speak about the game today, it's not the right moment and the right day, otherwise it's like an excuse, no, I don't want excuses.
I want to say I believe more than the Brentford game of our project, I believe in our players, I think Marmoush for the first game played very well, it was the first game for Micky van de Ven and Pedro Porro, they came late and they are crucial for this team, after the World Cup, after two injuries.
Sandro Tonali is another crucial player, he is not in the right condition, in the best condition yet, maybe physically, even though he worked with us at the beginning of the pre-season.
I think if I was positive last season when we were in the Championship, because when I came we were in the Championship, what do you think my thoughts now could be?
No Richarlison, Sarr or Danso in the squad today?
Richarlison, I don’t know. He said too many times he wants to leave. Danso came to me two days ago and he said wants to leave and Pape Sarr, the same but he suffer a small injury but he is almost ready to train.
Savio was another tough player who didn’t play. After (Friday) press conference, the medical staff came to me to inform Savio didn’t feel good. Small muscular problem. Maybe Monday or Tuesday he can start with us, but the medical staff didn’t want to take any risk with him and especially because he didn’t work or do training in the last 15 days with Man City.
You spoke a lot about the mentality, it feels like last week they concede one goal, heads drop. Today concede one, heads drop?
Yes, you are right.
Is mentality your biggest problems?
Yes, you are right, for sure.
How do you improve it?
It’s the biggest problem, it’s the biggest challenge and it’s the biggest target to find the right mentality. Unfortunately, you can’t buy the mentality in the transfer market or putting many players inside. Football is like a magic thing, you know? You can change many players in a window, in one window of transfer market and you can find the balance immediately or you need more time. I think we (will) achieve this target and this goal. I would like to achieve this target quickly and as soon as possible because it is crucial to play football, but the plan and the project of the club and what we are doing to build and rebuild a new team with great players is a great plan and a great project.
I have no doubt the result of this project. We have to accept and to be stronger to move on after this defeat. I think in the first half, if we scored two goals today, now we would have talked about different things, unfortunately we lost the game, and you know in Italian, who wins, celebrates and who loses, explain why and then explain why.
Is there any way back for the players who asked to leave?
I love these players, they are great guys, I have very good relationships, but if they want to leave, they have to bring the solution, the economic solution, to the club, and they can go, and we find other players.
How disappointed were you for Tonali after his performance amid the boos from the Newcastle fans?
No, I love Sandro Tonali. Today is the day where my emotion for my players is bigger than the other days because we are building together the club, Vinai, Johan Lange, the owners, me and they (the players) are like our children, so this day is so sad, we are all of us very disappointed for the result, but I love my players more today than the next win we will make.
