Tottenham Hotspur secured their first point of the Premier League season on Saturday, battling to a scoreless draw against Nottingham Forest at the City Ground. Despite the defensive clean sheet, manager Roberto De Zerbi sharply criticized his new-look £165million strike force as Spurs extended their goal drought to three consecutive matches.
Roberto De Zerbi Takes Aim at a Misfiring Attack
For the first time since 1974, Tottenham have failed to score in each of their opening three games of a league campaign. De Zerbi’s side managed zero shots on target during the physical, scrappy encounter at the City Ground, leaving the manager to bemoan poor decision-making in the final third.
“In the last third we have to improve. We have to improve and take better decisions, make keep calmer when we are close to doing something important in the final third.”
Roberto De Zerbi, Manager, via Daily Mail
The Italian coach pointed to specific missed opportunities during the match. When Omar Marmoush fired over the crossbar, Andy Robertson was overlapping on the flank while Mohammed Kudus waited unmarked at the far post. De Zerbi also highlighted crosses sent beyond the target by Mathys Tel and debutant Savio, noting that Tel possesses immense potential but frequently makes too many wrong decisions.
Medical Precautions and Squad Integration Challenges
Compounding the attacking struggles, De Zerbi was forced into critical personnel changes on the hour mark. He revealed that Savio—making his Premier League debut following a £75million move from Manchester City—and Destiny Udogie were both substituted strictly on the advice of the club’s medical staff to manage injury risks.
“The second half, I’m sorry because the medical stuff pushed to change Savio and Udogie after 60 minutes. Kudus and Robertson played very well, but maybe two substitutions in that moment was not so good. But now we can’t take risk with injuries again. Savio is too important for us, the same Destiny. Maybe we lost some balance, some connection [when they came off].”
Roberto De Zerbi, Manager, via NBC Sports
Reflecting on the broader squad transformation, De Zerbi noted that while the club brought in high-quality talent during the transfer window, a cohesive unit does not adjust instantly based on names printed on paper.
Controversy Overturned by VAR Frustrates Nottingham Forest
While Tottenham searched in vain for an opener, Nottingham Forest experienced their own major frustration midway through the second half. Neco Williams bundled the ball home from close range, sparking wild celebrations at the City Ground before referee Craig Pawson’s initial goal award was chalked off following a VAR review.
The video assistant referee intervened after determining that an attempted clearance by Sandro Tonali struck Williams on the arm before crossing the line. Forest manager Oliver Glasner launched a fierce critique of the intervention after the match, arguing that the referee had not made a clear and obvious error.
“I have watched it back to see all the angles, five or six different ones. From one angle, you can guess that the ball touched the arm as the shirt sleeve moves, but it’s not clear why. So if we are guessing, VAR cannot intervene.”
Oliver Glasner, Nottingham Forest Manager, via Daily Mail
Williams echoed his manager’s disbelief, stating that at not one moment did he think he handballed it and he headed it in between his arms.
Analyzing Tottenham’s Structural Build-Up Versus Final Third Deficit
Tactical evaluations of Tottenham’s performance highlight a sharp contrast between their proficiency in the build-up phase and their complete stagnation near the opponent’s goal. De Zerbi’s tactical setup frequently invites high pressure from opponents, relying on center-backs like Micky van de Ven to solve complex defensive situations.
Yet, the absence of an orthodox central playmaker forces Spurs to funnel all progression out wide. When opponents drop deep with nine or ten defenders packed into the penalty area, a squad featuring mercurial dribblers but not a single no. 10 in sight struggles to unlock the defense. Unless De Zerbi finds an internal solution or injured creators return to fitness, opposing teams will likely continue sitting deep to frustrate Tottenham’s expensive attacking line.
