De Zerbi says Tottenham ‘didn’t deserve’ Sunderland defeat
Tottenham stay in the relegation zone.
Roberto De Zerbi felt Tottenham‘s 1-0 defeat to Sunderland was undeserved but urged his players to respond in the right spirit.
Tottenham remain in the relegation zone after they were undone by Nordi Mukiele’s heavily deflected strike just after the hour mark at the Stadium of Light.
It was an especially painful defeat for Spurs as the game also saw captain Cristian Romero suffer an apparent knee injury.
De Zerbi gives verdict on Tottenham defeat
Tottenham stay two points adrift of safety after losing De Zerbi’s first game in charge, but the Italian saw plenty of positives from his side, along with clear room for them to improve.
“I think we played a good game, not enough to win but we didn’t deserve to lose,” De Zerbi told Sky Sports.
“We have to accept and move on. We played a good game. We have enough quality to come out from this difficult moment. I’m sorry for the result, I’m sorry for the Romero injury and I hope for us and for him that it is not important.
“We had three or four clear chances to score. We can be better especially to find the play between the lines. We made two or three mistakes in the last 15 metres and we have to move on into the next game.
“I spoke with the players five minutes ago and I said that I understand it has been a very tough season. It is a tough moment for everyone and we have to react with the right spirit. The quality of the players are amazing.”
Asked about Spurs’ position in the relegation zone with six games to go, De Zerbi replied: “It is what we have to do. We can just work. I am an honest man and I am telling you what I think. My opinion is that we have big players who are in a bad moment in terms of results and the parts of the season.
“We have to work on one win because with one win we can change everything this season. I have 24 hours per day and it is not a problem of time.
“We created chances in the first half, the same we have done in the week. The players of the quality are great but we have to believe more in ourselves and the crucial part is to win one game.
“We can play much better than today but after five or six training games it is difficult. All together we have to stay focused to win one game.”
