Roberto De Zerbi has dismissed suggestions that the atmosphere at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium is too 'nice', insisting it is actually 'amazing' and expressing confidence that Spurs can overcome their poor home record when they face Leeds on Monday.
Tottenham's survival hopes have been significantly boosted by consecutive away victories, yet they remain without a Premier League win at home since December 6. The north London club have managed only two home wins in the league all season, and they were seconds away from a third in De Zerbi's debut at the stadium before his former team Brighton snatched a last-gasp equaliser.
De Zerbi's Defence of the Atmosphere
When asked if the atmosphere at their ground could be contributing to the problem, De Zerbi responded firmly: 'No, because there are a lot of big stadiums and very nice stadiums, like theatres in the Premier League.'
'Tottenham's stadium is hot. When I was in this stadium with Brighton, on the bench for Brighton, or against Brighton two weeks ago, the stadium was very, very hot. And for us, we are lucky to play in this stadium.'
'The atmosphere against Brighton was amazing. The bottom of the table, 60,000 fans to support you, to push you, to stay before the game, during the game, after the game, we have been very close with the fans and I think it's luck for us.'
Home Form a Coincidence?
De Zerbi also pointed to Spurs' 25-match unbeaten home record in European competitions as evidence that this season's struggles are an anomaly. 'I think it was a coincidence, because against Atletico Madrid, they won at home. Against Borussia Dortmund in January, they won at home.'
'If you ask me against Brighton? We won, but we didn't take three points. We took one point, but we won in my head as a performance and if we analyse the game against Brighton, it's like a win. I think it's a mistake if we keep the focus on this part.'
Kinsky as an Example
For Spurs to secure safety after a dreadful campaign, they will need to banish any home demons, much like goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky did after a nightmare display in Madrid last month. Kinsky has since bounced back admirably.
With Guglielmo Vicario still sidelined after hernia surgery, Kinsky will start against Leeds, and De Zerbi cited him as an example for the entire squad. 'He has a big character, a big personality, a great guy, a great professional and a great keeper. He's playing very well. He has to stay focused and don't take risks in any situation, but he's playing very well. He's very important for us now.'
'Of course he is an example. Of course what he felt after Madrid, for sure was a big motivation for him.'
Vicario and Kulusevski Updates
De Zerbi described Vicario as still 'first choice', but the Italian could miss the rest of the season. Dejan Kulusevski is almost certainly out for the remainder, targeting a place in Sweden's World Cup squad despite no appearances in 12 months after a right patella injury.
'For me it is difficult to understand how he can play the World Cup if he didn't play any game this season, but I texted him after Aston Villa. He told me the next week I think he will come back in the country and I hope he can be available to stay with us in the last game because he's an amazing player.'
