Roberto De Zerbi acknowledged that Tottenham Hotspur is currently experiencing a «tough moment» following their elimination from the League Cup. He offered an apology for the team's 3-1 loss to Liverpool on Tuesday.
The defeat came after a poor beginning to the Premier League campaign, ending any hopes of a morale-boosting run in the cup competition at Anfield, which was affected by rain.
Liverpool secured the victory with goals from Alexis Mac Allister, Cody Gakpo, and Dominik Szoboszlai. Conor Gallagher scored for Tottenham, which was their first goal against a top-flight opponent this season, while the team was trailing 2-0.
De Zerbi's squad, currently positioned fourth from the bottom, has yet to secure a win in its first four league fixtures, recording two losses and two draws. De Zerbi suggested that Tottenham has faced bad luck throughout the season.
He stated, «We have to shoot more times, we have to shoot better, but we are sorry for the result, disappointed, frustrated for the result.» Furthermore, he added, «I think, unfair, but we have to accept and to be stronger than this unlucky moment.» He elaborated that in the past five or six games, the team had certainly not been fortunate against Newcastle, Everton, Nottingham, and also in the recent match.
Tottenham's sole victory this season was achieved in the League Cup against Charlton, who played in the second tier. Despite finishing 17th consecutively—including avoiding relegation on the final day of the previous season—the North London club invested over £300 million ($404 million) in ten new players since the end of the last term.
The tactical decision to make eight substitutions during the draw against Everton last weekend proved unsuccessful for De Zerbi, as his team was defeated by a less-than-full Liverpool lineup.
However, De Zerbi, who was formerly the manager of Marseille and whose hiring late last season helped Tottenham avoid relegation, remains confident in the team's overall direction. He commented, «We have to understand if we are in the right way or not,» adding, «I think watching the game, the last three games, four games, maybe until minute 60 with Newcastle, I think we are in the right way.»
He expressed strong faith in his players, stating, «I believe in my players, I have a big confidence, a big opinion of my players, and when we arrive to find the click, to win a game.» He concluded that the players enjoy playing together due to their exceptional qualities.
Taking responsibility for the team's difficult start, De Zerbi promised that the team would rebound at home against Aston Villa on Saturday. He apologized, saying, «I'm sorry, and it's my responsibility. Because maybe in the middle of the first half we didn't recognise the clear situation man-to-man,» emphasizing that despite it being a «tough moment,» the team must become stronger to perform optimally against Villa and find their winning rhythm.