Roberto De Zerbi expressed both frustration and pride, after Tottenham were denied a first league victory of 2026 by a stoppage-time equaliser against his former team, Brighton.
De Zerbi – whose animated antics on the touchline would have brought memories flooding back for the visiting fans – cut a bitterly disappointed figure after conceding the late equaliser.
But he remained classy, going over to applaud the travelling Seagulls supporters post-match – and they chanted his name in response.
Roberto De Zerbi expressed both frustration and pride, after Tottenham were denied a first league victory of 2026 by a stoppage-time equaliser against his former team, Brighton. (Photo by Ben STANSALL / AFP via Getty Images)placeholder image
Roberto De Zerbi expressed both frustration and pride, after Tottenham were denied a first league victory of 2026 by a stoppage-time equaliser against his former team, Brighton. (Photo by Ben STANSALL / AFP via Getty Images)
Tottenham – playing their first home game under De Zerbi – impressed in moments and scored two fine goals but their mental fragility was clear for all to see.
The Italian insisted his team ‘deserved to win’ after a performance he described as full of ‘personality, courage and mentality’.
Speaking to reporters at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium for the first time, since taking the job, De Zerbi said: “We played a good game.
“Brighton is a very good team, and at this moment they are playing very well. But I think we deserved to win the game, especially if you consider we conceded a goal in extra time when losing one ball in our possession.”
Despite the disappointment, De Zerbi was keen to emphasise the positives from his players, praising their attitude and application throughout the match.
“I’m very proud of the performance of my players,” he added. “They gave all of them their best, with the right mentality, with the right blood, with the right character.”
He acknowledged a shift in momentum during the game, noting his side’s strong start and high pressing in the first half, before struggling to maintain control after the break.
“In the first half we regained a lot of balls very high,” he said.
“When we scored we recovered possession well. But in the second half we suffered too much their possession.”
Despite conceding twice in the closing stages, De Zerbi rejected the idea that his team had shown anxiety, instead framing the goals as consequences of risk-taking in possession.
“I prefer to make mistakes with personality than to concede without personality,” he said. “The first goal was incredible, and the second came from a loss in possession. But this is football.”
Looking ahead, he urged belief in his squad, insisting that the season is still alive and that results can quickly change.
“We have another five games. This team is able to win five games in a row,” he said. “We have the qualities enough to fight and win games in a row.”
His message to the squad was equally direct, demanding focus and positivity ahead of their next fixture against Wolverhampton.
“They have to follow me,” he said firmly.
“They have to be strong, focused, and come to the training ground with a smile. We are lucky to work in a big club, in the Premier League. We must be positive.”
Concluding, De Zerbi made clear the identity he wants his team to maintain moving forward.
“They have to play like this,” he said. “Enjoy with the ball, enjoy football, and show what they are able to do. This is the truth, and we go game by game.”
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