How does De Zerbi fix Spurs’ scoring troubles?
How does De Zerbi fix Spurs' scoring troubles?. Glimpses of Spurs' central play but work requiredDe Zerbi encourages his players to play centrally.
What happened
The return of James Maddison, who came back from a shoulder injury for last Tuesday's Carabao Cup tie at Liverpool, will provide De Zerbi with a player better suited to these spaces and in turn help get Spurs into attacking zones more often. Image gallery 3Skip image galleryImage caption, Spurs' build-up play under De Zerbi is heavily central. 1 of 2Previous imageNext imageSlide 1 of 2, Screen grab from Spurs against Everton from this season showing Roberto De Zerbi's build-up shape. , Spurs' build-up play under De Zerbi is heavily central.
As he returns, his natural tendencies, which suit these tactics, may help Spurs create more goalscoring chances. Skip to content Menu Home | ‘Suffering’ Spurs will win many games when they finally click: Zerbi Tottenham Hotspur manager Roberto de Zerbi before the match against Liverpool at Anfield in Liverpool, Britain on September 15, 2026. If we lose, we are sorry, we are sad, we are disappointed, we are frustrated,” De Zerbi told Spurs’ official website after the third-round defeat.
Roberto De Zerbi's Tottenham are yet to score a Premier League goal this season, how do they fix that?
The wider picture
Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, All of Roberto De Zerbi's side's goals have come in the Carabao Cup this seasonByUmir IrfanFootball tactics correspondentPublished5 hours agoFour games into the season, Tottenham Hotspur and Coventry City are the only sides yet to score in the Premier League. Spurs have brought in £320m worth of talent – a bulk of that in attacking reinforcements – so why are they struggling to score? We analysed the tactics Roberto de Zerbi is trying to implement and what potential fixes may look like.
Understanding De Zerbi's philosophyWhile the Premier League looks different to when De Zerbi left Brighton in 2024, the Italian has shown clear signs of adapting while retaining his tactical principles. De Zerbi's sides entice opponents to apply pressure – often through slowing down play and passing the ball backwards. In a 2020 coaching seminar, De Zerbi explained: "The stronger the pressure of the opponent, the more vertical [our] action becomes. [The fewer opponents behind], the easier it becomes to go and score.
"We have seen De Zerbi's forwards in bigger spaces facing fewer defenders on numerous occasions this season already. Spurs' shape in possession can be hard to read but it often looks like a 2-3-2-3.
What has been reported
The holding midfielder, usually Rodrigo Bentancur, anchors the midfield in front of Spurs' two central defenders with this trio remaining fairly fixed. Image caption, Spurs' shape in possession can look like a 2-3-2-3. On top of these positional rules, De Zerbi gives his sides principles to implement. It might not be happening for De Zerbi yet this season at Tottenham. When Spurs' centre-backs are on the ball, opposing midfielders and forwards begin to push up, creating space for Spurs' attacking midfielders between the lines.
The other effect this central play has is that it can draw the defending team in-field, which opens up space in the wide areas for Spurs' direct wingers to attack. A narrow Spurs look to progress the ball, starting at their holding midfielder. Everton's midfielders step up but their defensive line doesn't follow, leaving space between the lines.
What happens next
1 of 2Previous imageNext imageSlide 1 of 2, Screen grab of Spurs' build-up against Everton through the middle then out wide. , This short sequence illustrates the above well. At the start of last season under Thomas Frank, Spurs built up primarily down the flanks, almost skipping the centre of the pitch entirely. De Zerbi is actively coaching an unorthodox style that goes against these instructions – but getting players to be brave enough to play in congested areas may take some time.
Image caption, By comparison, Spurs' build-up under Frank was focused on progression through the flanks. End of image galleryA reluctance to play riskier passesSpurs' build-up has regularly got them in positions behind the opposition midfield by attacking quickly after they are pressed. Turning these great attacking situations into goals has been one of Spurs' biggest issues. Spurs' biggest bottleneck so far has been in players either failing to recognise or opting not to play through balls in behind.
The report has been compiled by The Daily Waves using information reported across bbc.co.uk, sabcnews.com. Details are presented according to the information available at the time of publication and may change as authorities, organisers or other relevant parties provide updates.