# Roberto De Zerbi’s Seven-Game Mission: What Spurs Must Fix to Avoid Relegation

URL: https://technosports.co.in/roberto-de-zerbi-seven-game-mission-what-fix/  
Published: 2026-04-07  
Updated: 2026-04-07  
Author: Ankush Mallick

With just seven games remaining and [Tottenham Hotspur](https://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/) teetering on the edge of the Premier League relegation zone, Roberto De Zerbi faces the most daunting challenge of his managerial career. The Italian tactician, renowned for his possession-based, attacking football at Brighton, must now perform a rescue mission that gives him virtually no margin for error.

![](https://technosports.co.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Roberto-De-Zerbi-1-819x1024.jpg)

After Igor Tudor’s disastrous 43-day reign—the fourth-shortest for a permanent or interim manager in Premier League history—Tottenham don’t have the luxury of time, pre-season preparations, or gradual implementation. They need wins immediately, starting with their away fixture at Sunderland on April 12. De Zerbi’s appointment represents Tottenham’s desperate hope for salvation, but success requires addressing fundamental issues that have plagued the club all season. Here are six critical things the incoming manager must do to keep Spurs in England’s top flight.

## 1. Stick to Four at the Back—No Complicated Systems

Igor Tudor’s tenure at Tottenham proved one thing definitively: playing with three at the back was a catastrophic mistake. The Croatian manager stubbornly persisted with his favored back-three formation far too long, and Spurs only showed genuine signs of life once he switched to a 4-4-2—the system that earned them a 1-1 draw at Anfield and a crucial 3-2 victory over Atlético Madrid.

The statistics tell the story. With three at the back, Tottenham were consistently overrun in midfield. Players looked uncomfortable, out of position, and lacking the spatial awareness that comes from experience in such systems. Once Tudor finally switched to a more traditional four-man defense, the team instantly looked more organized, confident, and capable of competing.

Roberto De Zerbi must learn from this costly mistake. While Tottenham weren’t entirely hopeless in a back three under Thomas Frank earlier in the season, the players’ confidence is now completely shattered. There is nobody at the club—not in the dressing room, not among the coaching staff, not in the fanbase—who would feel reassured by seeing three center-backs on the team sheet.

The Italian manager is known for tactical flexibility at Brighton, occasionally deploying back threes when situations demanded. However, Tottenham’s desperate circumstances require simplicity over sophistication. The players need all the help they can get, and avoiding overcomplication in system selection represents the logical starting point.

A stable 4-4-2 or 4-3-3 formation gives players clear defensive responsibilities, maintains midfield numbers, and allows fullbacks to contribute in attack without leaving gaping defensive holes. In seven must-win matches, Tottenham cannot afford the confusion and vulnerability that comes with unfamiliar defensive structures.

| **Formation Impact Under Tudor** | **Back Three** | **Back Four** |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Wins | 0 | 1 |
| Draws | 0 | 1 |
| Losses | 4 | 0 |
| Player Confidence | Shattered | Improved |
| Midfield Control | Overrun | Competitive |

## 2. Don’t Play Players Out of Position—Use Available Talent Correctly

One of Tudor’s most baffling failures was his persistent insistence on playing players in unfamiliar positions. The results were universally disastrous:

- Conor Gallagher was fielded on the right side of midfield instead of his natural central role
- Archie Gray played at right wing-back and left-back despite being a center-back
- João Palhinha and Pedro Porro were both deployed on the right side of central defense in a back three
- Lucas Bergvall returned from injury in an unfamiliar role on the right flank in Tudor’s final game

A grand total of zero—precisely zero—of these experiments worked.

Tudor did face an extreme injury crisis that severely limited his options, particularly in defense. However, he compounded his problems by forcing players to fit into the system he wanted rather than adapting his system to the players available. This inflexibility cost Tottenham valuable points and further eroded already fragile confidence.

![](https://technosports.co.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Archie-Gray-positions-played-under-Igor-Tudor-1024x1024.jpg)

The good news for Roberto De Zerbi is that Tottenham’s injury situation is improving. Bergvall and Destiny Udogie are back in action. Before the Nottingham Forest defeat, Tudor confirmed that Mohammed Kudus and Rodrigo Bentancur are both “progressing well” in their recoveries. This means De Zerbi should have more selection flexibility than his predecessor enjoyed.

But flexibility in selection doesn’t mean flexibility in positioning. Tottenham don’t have the luxury of time for players to learn new roles on the job. In seven cup finals, every player must be comfortable with their responsibilities from the opening whistle.

Consider the tactical shift De Zerbi represents. Tottenham have played 12.2% of their passes long in Premier League games this season—a higher proportion than nine other sides. In De Zerbi’s first season at Brighton, his team ranked second from bottom in long-ball percentage, with just 7.5% of passes played long.

This massive stylistic change will challenge players enough without adding positional confusion. Gallagher should play in central midfield where he excels. Gray should be used as a center-back when needed. Porro belongs at right-back. Keep it simple, keep players in their best positions, and let them focus on executing a dramatically different playing style.

## 3. Sort Out Disciplinary Problems—No More Stupid Red Cards

Frustration and desperation have cost Tottenham dearly this season, manifesting in red cards that turned difficult matches into impossible ones. Key center-backs and senior leaders Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven both received straight red cards in Premier League games, leaving their teammates without hope and suspended for subsequent fixtures.

Van de Ven nearly—and probably should have—received another red card for a wild lunge in the Champions League away to Atlético Madrid. When Spurs desperately needed calm heads, two of their most important players let emotion override judgment. They clearly struggled to balance the motivation required for success with the controlled aggression needed to win individual battles.

![](https://technosports.co.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Cristian-Romero-1024x681.jpg)
*LONDON, ENGLAND – MARCH 18: Cristian Romero of Tottenham Hotspur during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Round of 16 Second Leg match between Tottenham Hotspur FC and Atletico de Madrid at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on March 18, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images)*

In seven remaining matches—seven genuine cup finals—Tottenham cannot afford to play even a single minute with ten men. They need all available help, which demands impeccable decision-making despite the utterly desperate circumstances.

Here’s where Roberto De Zerbi faces a significant challenge: he’s hardly known as a calm head during difficult times. In fact, he’s the definition of a hothead. Over his two years at Brighton, De Zerbi received more yellow cards (nine) and more red cards (two) than any other manager in the Premier League. His passionate, often volatile touchline behavior became a trademark of his tenure.

This presents both a risk and an opportunity. De Zerbi must channel his intensity positively—using his passion to inspire rather than inflame—and more importantly, ensure his players maintain their discipline. If the manager is raging at officials every match, it sets a tone that encourages players to lose control in heated moments.

The message must be clear: controlled aggression, smart fouling when necessary, but absolutely no reckless challenges or petulant reactions that result in red cards. Romero and van de Ven possess the quality to be difference-makers in this relegation battle, but only if they’re on the pitch for the full 90 minutes.

## 4. Re-Teach Playing Out From the Back, But Find Pragmatic Balance

Tottenham haven’t played out from the back or progressed through the thirds effectively with any consistency this season. This represents a stunning departure from exactly what they did under Ange Postecoglou for two successful campaigns. The club’s decision to change tactical philosophy entirely last summer now looks questionable at best, catastrophic at worst.

The pattern is frustratingly familiar. Since Mauricio Pochettino’s departure in 2019, Tottenham have made dramatic stylistic jumps with successive managerial appointments, achieving at best short-term gains while sacrificing long-term stability. After Postecoglou won the Europa League last season playing expansive, possession-based football, the switch to Thomas Frank’s direct, defensive approach seemed reactive rather than strategic. Now, the pendulum swings back toward possession football under De Zerbi—a correct decision philosophically, but one complicated by desperate circumstances.

Roberto De Zerbi won’t compromise his footballing principles significantly. His reputation was built on teaching teams to play out from the back, dominate possession, and progress methodically through thirds. Brighton became one of the Premier League’s most aesthetically pleasing sides under his guidance, playing with a confidence and technical quality that belied their resources.

![](https://technosports.co.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Tottenham-long-passes-vs-Liverpool-1024x768.jpg)

The problem? Tottenham have very, very little time to learn these complex patterns. De Zerbi will likely hope his players can learn on the job, absorbing principles match by match. Whether the current squad possesses sufficient technical quality to execute his vision remains debatable, but they certainly cannot do it well immediately.

This creates a dilemma requiring pragmatic balance. Some of Tottenham’s best moments under Frank and Tudor came from direct, long-ball football. The equalizer at Liverpool, for example, originated from a punt upfield from goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario. Spurs created several other chances from long balls in that match, with Dominic Solanke and Richarlison performing effectively as a physical center-forward partnership.

De Zerbi famously dislikes long-ball tactics, but survival might require accepting occasional pragmatism. If Tottenham can’t play through a high press, a well-directed long ball to bypass pressure could prove invaluable. The Italian must balance his philosophical preferences with survival necessities—teaching possession principles while accepting that sometimes direct football offers the path of least resistance.

| **Tactical Philosophy Comparison** | **Long Passes %** | **Playing Style** |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Tottenham 2024-25 Season | 12.2% | Direct, defensive |
| De Zerbi’s Brighton (Year 1) | 7.5% | Possession-based, build from back |
| De Zerbi at Tottenham (Target) | ~9-10% | Possession with pragmatic flexibility |

## 5. Get Xavi Simons in the Team—Make Him Your Main Man

Tottenham’s squad construction has been nothing short of disastrous. They’re lacking options in crucial areas while possessing redundant players elsewhere. This imbalance is particularly acute in attack, where they currently have three fit center-forwards, one player capable of operating on the left (Mathys Tel), and nobody available who naturally plays on the right wing. Squad planning failures represent arguably the biggest institutional mistake of recent years.

Perhaps most damning: Tottenham have had only one creative midfielder fit all season, yet Xavi Simons—unquestionably the most talented player in the squad—couldn’t secure regular minutes under Igor Tudor, apparently sacrificed for “balance” in the starting XI.

![](https://technosports.co.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Xavi-Simons-open-play-expected-assists-Premier-League-2025-26-1024x762.jpg)

The Dutch international was the inspiration behind the victory over Atlético Madrid—Tottenham’s only win in their last ten matches—showcasing exactly why he must be central to any survival plan. If Spurs intend to keep the ball on the floor and play through midfield, Simons needs to be the player around whom everything is built.

Tottenham’s creativity problems have been extensively documented. Only three Premier League teams have generated a lower expected goals total than Spurs’ meager 32.6 xG this season. Simons hasn’t been faultless in this regard, but he possesses the rare ability to create something from nothing—a quality that could prove invaluable in the remaining seven matches.

The statistics support Simons’s importance. His 3.1 expected assists from open play in Premier League games this season exceeds every other Tottenham player, despite playing only 1,599 of a possible 2,790 minutes (57.3%). On a per-90 basis, his 0.17 open-play expected assists surpasses established Premier League creative forces like Anthony Gordon (0.16), Eberechi Eze (0.13), and Amad Diallo (0.15).

Roberto De Zerbi built his Brighton success around creative players like Alexis Mac Allister and Moisés Caicedo, empowering them to express themselves within structured possession frameworks. He knows how to unlock technical midfielders’ potential. Simons must become Tottenham’s equivalent creative focal point for the final seven games.

Every tactical decision should start with the question: “Does this help Xavi Simons influence the game?” Formation, pressing triggers, build-up patterns—all should be designed to maximize the Dutchman’s involvement. If Tottenham stay up, he’ll be a major reason why.

## 6. Bin Off Long Throws—They’re Actively Hurting Spurs

Long throws have experienced a renaissance in the Premier League this season, with several teams successfully incorporating them as genuine attacking weapons. Tottenham, inspired by Thomas Frank’s success with them at Brentford, have attempted to replicate this approach throughout the campaign. They’ve continued using them even after Frank’s departure.

There’s just one problem: Tottenham are absolutely terrible at long throws.

The numbers are damning. Spurs have hurled the ball into the opposition’s box (at least 20 meters before the next touch) 77 times in league games this season. Only 12 of those have led to shots—a conversion rate of just 15.6%. Those dozen shots have been worth a combined 0.94 expected goals. Most damning of all? Tottenham haven’t scored a single goal from any of them.

Tottenham have the worst record with long throws of any Premier League team this season. While other clubs are generating genuine attacking threat from set-piece situations, Spurs are wasting possession and creating counter-attacking opportunities for opponents.

Consider the evidence from the Atlético Madrid victory earlier this month. Spurs scored from a throw-in situation for the first time in any competition this season—but it came from a short throw-in from Porro to Tel, who crossed for Randal Kolo Muani to score. Intelligent, quick combination play created the goal, not a long heave into the mixer.

Immediately after half-time, with Tottenham leading 1-0 and searching for a second goal, they conceded from a counter-attack after sending defenders forward for yet another failed long throw. The tactical choice not only wasted possession but actively created danger at the other end.

Long throws have arguably done more harm than good for Tottenham this season. They waste time, disrupt attacking rhythm, commit players forward unnecessarily, and surrender possession when they fail. In seven must-win matches where every possession matters, continuing this failed experiment would be footballing malpractice.

Roberto De Zerbi’s possession-based philosophy naturally discourages long throws anyway. He prefers short, sharp combinations from throw-ins that maintain ball control and build attacks methodically. Abandoning long throws won’t require convincing—it aligns perfectly with his tactical DNA.

## The Scale of the Challenge

Roberto De Zerbi faces an unprecedented challenge. Never has a manager of his profile and reputation been asked to perform a relegation rescue with so little time and such fundamental problems to solve. He must completely transform how Tottenham play while simultaneously generating immediate results.

The contrast between De Zerbi’s footballing philosophy and what Tottenham have attempted this season couldn’t be starker. Moving from Frank’s defensive, direct approach through Tudor’s confused tactics to De Zerbi’s possession-based attacking football represents a complete tactical revolution—normally something you’d implement over a pre-season and early-season matches where results matter less.

Tottenham don’t have that luxury. They have less than two weeks until facing Sunderland, then six more matches in rapid succession. Every single one is a cup final. Lose two or three, and Premier League relegation becomes reality for one of England’s biggest clubs.

![](https://technosports.co.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Roberto-De-Zerbi-appointed-Spurs-Head-Coach-1-819x1024.jpg)

The six priorities outlined above—stable formation, correct positioning, disciplined behavior, balanced build-up play, featuring Xavi Simons, and abandoning failed set-pieces—provide a roadmap for survival. None individually guarantees success, but collectively they address the most glaring issues that have made this season catastrophic.

Can De Zerbi pull off this rescue mission? His Brighton work proves he’s a talented coach capable of implementing sophisticated tactics and getting the best from technical players. But this job requires something different: immediate impact, pragmatic flexibility, and crisis management skills that don’t typically define his profile.

The next seven games will determine not just Tottenham’s league status but Roberto De Zerbi’s reputation. Success would cement his standing as one of Europe’s elite managers. Failure would be career-defining for different reasons.

For Tottenham fans, hope is all they have left. Hope that De Zerbi can work miracles. Hope that players respond to yet another new voice. Hope that seven games provide enough time to implement enough improvements to survive.

Hope, and these six priorities, might just be enough.

Read More: [Which Four Nations Will Debut at FIFA World Cup 2026?](https://technosports.co.in/which-four-nations-debut-fifa-world-cup-2026/)

## FAQs

### Why was Igor Tudor’s reign at Tottenham so disastrous?

Tudor lasted just 43 days—the fourth-shortest reign for a permanent or interim manager in Premier League history—taking only one point from five league games. His stubborn insistence on playing with three at the back despite players being uncomfortable in that system, combined with consistently playing players out of position, led to complete tactical confusion and catastrophic results.

### What is the biggest tactical change Roberto De Zerbi will bring to Tottenham?

De Zerbi favors possession-based, short-passing football with teams playing out from the back, while Tottenham have played 12.2% of passes long this season. In De Zerbi’s first season at Brighton, only 7.5% of passes were played long—the second-lowest in the Premier League. This represents a fundamental shift in playing philosophy that must be implemented immediately.

### Why must Xavi Simons be central to Tottenham’s survival plan?

Simons is Tottenham’s most talented player and their only consistent creative midfielder. His 0.17 open-play expected assists per 90 minutes exceeds established Premier League creators like Anthony Gordon (0.16) and Eberechi Eze (0.13), despite playing only 57.3% of available minutes. He was the inspiration behind Tottenham’s only win in their last 10 games—the victory over Atlético Madrid.

### How bad have Tottenham been at long throws this season?

Tottenham have the worst long-throw record in the Premier League. They’ve attempted 77 long throws that traveled at least 20 meters before the next touch, but only 12 led to shots worth a combined 0.94 expected goals. Most damning: they haven’t scored a single goal from any of them, making long throws an active detriment to their attacking play.

### What is Roberto De Zerbi’s biggest concern regarding discipline?

De Zerbi received more yellow cards (nine) and red cards (two) than any other Premier League manager during his two years at Brighton, making him the definition of a touchline hothead. He must channel his passion positively and ensure players like Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven—who’ve both received straight red cards this season—maintain discipline in the seven remaining cup finals.