Roberto de Zerbi’s Spurs seem to have found their rhythm again after securing their second consecutive win – a 2-1 triumph against Aston Villa, who are vying for a Champions League spot.
Spurs have experienced a rollercoaster of styles this season under three different managers – Thomas Frank, Igor Tudor, and now De Zerbi – yet they seem to be coalescing under their new coach despite the limited time he has been with them.
With a renewed sense of confidence and a tactical approach that has simplified decision-making, both the Spurs squad and their supporters are feeling cautiously optimistic that they can avoid relegation.
De Zerbi deserves significant credit for the positive transformation in the team’s setup.
Aggressive Pressing Stifles Villa’s Build-Up
While De Zerbi has often been lauded for his teams’ ability to build from the back, it was Spurs’ defensive performance that truly shone against Villa.
Unai Emery’s side typically opts for a short, central buildup before accelerating play when space opens up higher on the pitch – a style reminiscent of De Zerbi’s philosophy in possession.
To counteract this, De Zerbi instructed Spurs to apply high-pressure tactics while congesting the midfield.
Richarlison played a pivotal role by positioning himself to obstruct the pass to Villa’s right central midfielder Lamare Bogarde, while positioning his body to deter Emiliano Martinez from advancing down Villa’s right side.
Alongside him, De Zerbi selected Conor Gallagher, who marked Youri Tielemans.
Through this strategy, Richarlison, along with Rodrigo Bentancur stepping in from midfield, successfully ensured that Villa’s central midfielders were unable to receive the ball without being marked.
While Villa’s defenders were kept busy, Spurs effectively directed Villa’s play towards the middle of the pitch and managed to establish numerical superiority in that area.
When Villa attempted riskier passes, Spurs’ forwards promptly initiated their press, surrounding the ball carrier to heighten the chances of regaining possession.
Villa struggled to advance the ball, while Spurs capitalized on their opponents’ possession to generate opportunities of their own.
Though it’s early days, De Zerbi’s Spurs have averaged 5.3 possessions regained in the final third per game, the highest figure for any team under a single manager this season, indicating a clear ambition.
Fluid Rotations Disassemble Villa’s Defensive Structure
With the ball, De Zerbi’s squad employed impressive rotations that dismantled Emery’s 4-4-2 formation.
Danso, Antonin Kinsky, and Micky van de Ven created a wide trio that overpowered Villa’s front two, facilitating smooth buildup for Spurs.
The Czech goalkeeper’s adeptness with both feet opened up multiple angles for ball progression.
Spurs’ full-backs and midfielders were instrumental in stretching Villa’s defensive lines.
A midfielder frequently drifted wide, either to draw out a defender or to receive the ball unmarked.
Joao Palhinha or Bentancur often dropped deep to create a back three with the center-backs, reestablishing numerical superiority against Villa’s attacking duo.
De Zerbi also empowered left-back Destiny Udogie with the freedom to advance up the pitch, often drawing Villa’s right-sided attacker Jadon Sancho with him.
When Udogie made perilous central runs, a Spurs midfielder would drop back into the space he left, effectively covering the full-back position.
By inviting Villa to advance after a series of short passes, Kinsky frequently sought long balls to Udogie’s runs.
Richarlison, Tel, Kolo Muani, and Gallagher would be nearby, ready to capitalize on any knockdowns, allowing Spurs to create numerous goal-scoring opportunities in an advantageous position.
On the opposite flank, right-back Porro’s inward movement often pulled Villa’s left midfielder, Morgan Rogers, away from his position.
Gallagher, playing as Spurs’ number 10, intelligently moved toward the side of the ball, with Tielemans often tracking him wide. Recognizing this, Bentancur shifted across to help Spurs create favorable 4-v-3 situations on the flanks, combining with Gallagher, their winger, and full-back against Villa’s defenders.
This numerical supremacy enabled Spurs to maintain strong possession in the attacking third, minimizing their defensive workload.
Tactics and Confidence Intertwined
Upon taking over a Tottenham side plagued by a lack of form, confidence, and key injuries, De Zerbi has instilled principles that mirror his previous successes while tailoring them to his current team’s strengths.
Spurs demonstrate a preference for short plays from their goalkeeper but are more inclined to directly target Richarlison compared to De Zerbi’s previous team, Brighton.
Utilizing a high press to create opportunities has proven effective, especially given the physicality of the Spurs squad.
While Tudor employed a similar tactic, De Zerbi has enhanced it by not assigning man-to-man marking across the pitch, instead choosing strategic moments to regain possession.
However, none of these tactics can succeed without a squad that believes in the coach’s vision.
De Zerbi has consistently emphasized the importance of self-belief in his press conferences, urging Spurs to shed negativity if they aim to remain a Premier League team next season, a sentiment reinforced by their performance against Villa.