After Tottenham Hotspur drew 0-0 with Nottingham Forest away in the Premier League, manager Enzo De Zerbi attended the post-match press conference to address media questions.

Perhaps our attack didn't meet expectations today, but defensively, our defense and midfield showed excellent organizational discipline and worked hard.

Exactly. But I think we played well. In the final third, we need to improve. We need to make better decisions, more rational choices. We need to stay composed when we're close to creating a threat in the final third. I remember, as I said moments ago, Maddison's chance to shoot. At that moment, Robertson was overlapping and advancing. If we had made the right decision and passed to Robertson at the far post, Kudus would have scored easily. There were also several crosses that went over the far post—Tel had two and Savio had one. For Savio's chance, I think it was a decision-making issue. Porro passed to Matheus Fernandes, who then passed to Kudus, and Solanke finished with a header. Matheus was completely unmarked at that moment and could have shot comfortably forward. Anyway, I'm very satisfied with the spirit shown by the team and relieved by our organized defense with and without the ball. We didn't give the opponent any chances. Their style of play is very clear: long balls and competing for second balls. But even against those second balls, we won many duels. They have a group of excellent players, and it's not easy to get points away from home. We're frustrated because we didn't win, but I think this is the right spirit and the right way forward. Because we only started training together last Thursday to create and build this team, to construct our overall organization. Relying solely on quality on paper and transfer market signings is far from enough.

It seems Bentancur won many duels on the pitch...

A great performance. Bentancur played very well. So did Tonali and Gallagher. Yes, Gallagher and Tonali played excellently, and Bentancur too. Van de Ven also played very well. However, I do feel some regret, because Savio and Udogie, I think they could have played more than 60 minutes. But we had a plan with the medical team beforehand, and we didn't want to risk any injury. So at that moment, I couldn't make decisions based entirely on what was happening on the pitch.

Roberto, I think the fans will understand that you've signed many new players and it takes time to build chemistry. But we're used to the flowing football you played with Brighton. The team didn't have any shots on target today—does that concern you?

No, we could have scored three or four goals today. Because if you make the wrong decision, you can't score, but in my opinion, those are still goalscoring opportunities.

Last question—Mudryk played his first match in nearly two years today. How would you rate his performance?

He's not ready yet. He's working hard to regain his best fitness. He needs time, he needs training. In this position, we also have Tel, who has great potential, but Matheus also made too many wrong decisions. And then there's Mykhailo, Mudryk. So we have two excellent players with great potential in this position. But anyway, if we want to score goals, I think Maddison can score 15 goals, and Solanke's header was also a good goalscoring opportunity. Even though it didn't result in a shot on target, it was indeed a chance. Also, how many shots did Nottingham have today? I think anyway, it was a great match.

Very good. But I just asked about the substitution agreement you reached with the medical team. Can you give more details about that? Did they tell you before the match...?

Yes, before the match started, the plan was for Savio and Udogie to play around 60 minutes, and playing beyond that would carry the risk of injury.

Are you happy with that plan? Before the match, were you willing to substitute them after an hour?

No, of course I'm not happy about it, but that's football. Savio's current fitness doesn't allow him to play 90 minutes yet. He's a very important, even crucial, player for us. Udogie is also a key player for us. I think Kudus and Robertson played well today, but you know, in a match with today's intensity, coming on as a substitute and immediately finding the rhythm isn't easy. When I have to execute a predetermined plan, I'm certainly not happy, but it's good for the long-term benefit and my job, which is the proper management of players returning from injury.

You mentioned Tonali played very well today. Did you see the physical performance you expected from him? Is this the level you expect from Tonali? Did you see an improvement in his fitness during the week?

I think he can go up another level, but frankly, this is the best match he's played so far. Gallagher also played outstandingly. Maddison brought us tactical quality in attack.

You mentioned Gallagher. Was starting him in midfield a tactical decision, or was there something with Matheus Fernandes, or did you simply decide to play this way?

You know, I have enough experience to understand what this stadium means. This stadium represents the most authentic English football. And Gallagher is more familiar with this type of game than others. During my time as Tottenham manager, Matheus will certainly be one of the best players. But I'm fortunate because I have many players to choose from, and I need to find the right balance before the match and field the most suitable starting eleven.

You mentioned those errors in the final third. How do you train and correct these in regular training sessions?

Through tactical meetings, watching matches with the players, and analyzing videos. At the same time, I think winning more matches is also important. Because, you know, confidence, enthusiasm, and high morale are crucial for making the right tactical decisions, aren't they? But I really love these players. I just mentioned Maddison, yes, Maddison. But we need to assess whether Maddison has the ability to score 12 to 15 goals. I think he does, because he has everything needed to score that many goals. Of course, he must continue to improve, and so must Solanke. I think if Dominic can fully recover and reach his best fitness, the chance he had today would have had a completely different outcome.

Traducido por IA.

¡El sitio web de AF ya está disponible! Consulta noticias, comentarios, detalles de partidos y estadísticas en tu ordenador. Visita: www.allfootballapp.com