De Zerbi's Tactics Face Scrutiny as Spurs Struggle for Goals
Tottenham Hotspur's potent attack has yet to find the net in the Premier League, prompting an analysis of manager Roberto De Zerbi's tactical approach.
Four games into the season, Tottenham Hotspur and Coventry City stand as the only teams yet to score a Premier League goal. Despite significant investment in attacking talent, Spurs are facing a scoring drought, leading to an examination of manager Roberto De Zerbi's tactical philosophy and potential solutions.
Understanding De Zerbi's Philosophy
De Zerbi's tactical approach aims to draw opponents into pressing before exploiting the resulting spaces with quick, direct passing or strong carries. He explained in a 2020 seminar that "the stronger the pressure of the opponent, the more vertical [our] action becomes." This strategy has been observed this season, with De Zerbi's forwards finding themselves in larger spaces with fewer defenders. However, converting build-up play into goals requires multiple elements to align.
Spurs' Tactical Setup
Tottenham's formation in possession often resembles a 2-3-2-3. A holding midfielder anchors the defense alongside two central defenders. While the overall shape remains consistent, there is rotation among wingers, full-backs, and central midfielders, with players encouraged to maintain team shape by filling vacated zones. This approach encourages players to operate centrally, which has two key effects: it can draw opposing midfielders and forwards forward, creating space between the lines for Spurs' attacking midfielders, and it can draw the defending team infield, opening up wider areas for direct wing play.
De Zerbi's tactics, which saw success at Marseille where the team averaged 2.3 goals per game, are being implemented at Tottenham. However, consistent goal-scoring has not yet materialized.
Central Play and Areas for Improvement
De Zerbi encourages central play, aiming to create space for attacking midfielders. This strategy, however, relies on players being comfortable receiving the ball under pressure and recognizing the optimal passing opportunities. The return of James Maddison from injury is expected to provide a player better suited to exploiting these tight spaces and advancing Spurs into attacking zones.
The success of this approach also depends on players internalizing the manager's instructions and potentially unlearning habits from previous coaching regimes. De Zerbi's style, which emphasizes bravery in congested areas, contrasts with previous tactics that favored flank play to avoid central turnovers.
Converting Chances into Goals
While Spurs' build-up play has successfully positioned them behind the opposition midfield, converting these attacking situations into goals has been a significant challenge. This is attributed to issues in recognizing the best passing options, movement off the ball, and the execution of passes. A reluctance to play through balls in behind the defense has been identified as a key bottleneck.
Attacking runs have been present, but passes have not always followed. Pedro Porro, whose natural tendencies align with these tactics, is expected to contribute to creating more chances upon his return.
Off-the-Ball Movement and Finishing
Players are still adapting to the expected off-the-ball movements. At Marseille, diagonal runs from wide attackers, combined with precise passing, were a key source of goals.
Destiny Udogie's movement against Liverpool created crossing opportunities, but the final pass and subsequent box movement are areas needing refinement. While some players may struggle with weaker foot execution, others, like Udogie and Robertson, have generated clearer chances through crosses.
De Zerbi's system is showing glimpses of potential, with attacking moves frequently creating promising situations. However, the success of these tactics hinges on the quality of finishing and the team's ability to execute the finer details. If these elements are refined, Spurs should improve their goal-scoring record.