In the third round of the Premier League, Tottenham Hotspur drew 0-0 with Nottingham Forest away, securing their first point of the season. However, they still failed to score a league goal. After the match, The Athletic analyzed Tottenham Hotspur's situation.

When will Tottenham Hotspur's attack click?

The visit to the City Ground was both a step in the right direction and a missed opportunity for Tottenham Hotspur.

Tottenham Hotspur performed brightly in the first half but never threatened Matz Sels' goal; throughout the entire 90 minutes, they didn't register a single shot on target. Marmoush had a chance to break the deadlock when Pedro Porro sent him through on goal, but the Egyptian international shot wide. He had another opportunity in the second half but blazed the ball over.

Despite the club's significant investment in attacking reinforcements, the offense has yet to find its rhythm. Part of the reason is lack of familiarity: Savio's preseason was disrupted by transfer speculation; Marmoush has also yet to develop chemistry with several attacking players returning from injury.

This is something De Zerbi needs to address, and it will take time. However, expecting Marmoush to constantly receive attacking passes while being tightly marked by tall defenders is unlikely to be an effective long-term strategy. This is also the first time since 1974 that Tottenham Hotspur has failed to score in their opening three league matches of a season.

That said, Tottenham Hotspur secured their first clean sheet of the season, and familiar problems with mentality, aggressive tackling, and fitness did not resurface. Sandro Tonali delivered his most convincing midfield performance since joining, covering large areas of the pitch, making accurate interceptions and tackles, and driving forward transitions. Meanwhile, the defense effectively contained Liam Delap and substitute Igor Jesus.

Nottingham Forest is also currently in transition under Glasner. Tottenham Hotspur had many opportunities to capitalize on their attacking prowess but failed to convert. This match was winnable, and De Zerbi should recognize the positives, but the team still has significant work ahead.

How did Savio perform in his Tottenham Hotspur Premier League debut?

After missing last week's 0-2 loss to Newcastle United due to slight muscle fatigue, Tottenham Hotspur fans waited an extra week for Savio's Premier League debut.

Throughout the summer, expectations for Savio in a Tottenham Hotspur shirt steadily grew. The Brazilian international made no secret of his desire to join De Zerbi's side, liking and commenting on nearly every social media post related to the North London club. His substitute appearance and goal in the 5-1 League Cup victory over Charlton Athletic, where he also indirectly assisted Ben Davies, further heightened expectations.

His league debut for Tottenham Hotspur was encouraging. The right wing has been a major problem for Tottenham Hotspur since Mohammed Kudus suffered a hamstring injury in January. De Zerbi was previously forced to deploy striker Randal Kolo Muani and midfielder Conor Gallagher in this position, with mixed results.

Although Savio didn't truly threaten Matz Sels' goal or create clear-cut scoring opportunities in this match, it was evident that he is a talented winger—fast and skillful in dribbling, capable of troubling opponents.

The youngster's debut was promising, and he was replaced by Kudus after nearly 60 minutes. It's believed he can perform even better as he settles in.

Does Tottenham Hotspur lack a genuine attacking midfielder?

De Zerbi is currently in a dilemma regarding his midfield selection.

The Italian coach frequently employs a 4-2-3-1 formation in his career, and he achieved good results with this setup last season, successfully guiding Tottenham Hotspur away from the relegation zone. However, this season, his current set of midfielders might be better suited to alternative formations.

For the second consecutive week, De Zerbi opted for Rodrigo Bentancur and Sandro Tonali as the double pivot, with either Mateus Fernandes or Conor Gallagher playing as the attacking midfielder ahead of them. Gallagher started this match, but the team's lack of creativity and inability to penetrate through the middle remained unresolved.

Although De Zerbi praised Gallagher's ability to play as an attacking midfielder and noted that Fernandes began his career as an attacking midfielder at Sporting CP, neither is a natural fit for the position. Kudus can also play as an attacking midfielder, but he primarily operates on the wing in the Premier League.

James Maddison will need time to regain fitness and be ready for a start after missing much of preseason; Simons remains sidelined following an ACL injury in April.

Until these two return, if Gallagher or Fernandes were to drop deeper appropriately, Tottenham Hotspur's midfield might gain better penetration. This adjustment would allow them to dictate play, deliver passes to their forwards, and exploit the spaces between the defensive lines.

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