Roberto De Zerbi has spoken to the media following Tottenham Hotspur’s crucial 3-1 Premier League victory over Coventry City, discussing James Maddison’s impressive return to the starting lineup, Dejan Kulusevski’s long-awaited comeback and the latest injury concerns affecting his squad.

The Italian manager finally had reason to celebrate after watching his side end a frustrating six-match winless run in the league. The result also lifted Tottenham out of the bottom position in the Premier League table and offered supporters renewed hope after a difficult spell.

Although Spurs secured all three points, De Zerbi acknowledged that his team could have performed better, particularly when attempting to break down Coventry’s compact defensive structure.

Maddison Delivers a Dream Return

James Maddison marked his first Tottenham start in 536 days with a spectacular opening goal that immediately caught the attention of supporters.

The 29-year-old midfielder curled a superb effort into the net after receiving a pass from Mohammed Kudus, giving Spurs an early advantage and recording their first Premier League lead of the season.

Maddison’s performance was especially significant after such a lengthy absence from the starting lineup. His creativity, composure and attacking intelligence provided Tottenham with a valuable boost as they searched for a way out of their difficult run.

De Zerbi expressed his happiness at seeing the midfielder return to the team and make such an important contribution to the victory.

De Zerbi Explains Tottenham’s Tactical Approach

The Tottenham manager admitted that his team had delivered stronger performances in several previous matches, despite failing to secure the results they wanted.

He pointed to encounters against Manchester United, Aston Villa and Everton, as well as the Carabao Cup meeting with Liverpool, as games in which Spurs had shown encouraging signs.

However, he insisted that Coventry presented a different tactical challenge because of their compact defensive organisation and reliance on counter-attacking football.

De Zerbi explained that Tottenham struggled to move possession quickly enough during the opening half, making their attacking approach too predictable.

He said:

“We played much better in other games, Old Trafford, Aston Villa especially in the first half, Everton especially in the first half, Liverpool in the Carabao Cup, but we didn’t play so well, not for our responsibility.”

The Spurs boss credited Coventry for making life difficult, highlighting how challenging it can be to break down a team that defends deep and keeps its defensive lines close together.

He also explained why he opted to use three defenders during Tottenham’s possession phases.

Several midfield absences influenced his decision, with Lucas Bergvall unavailable through injury, Conor Gallagher having only recently returned to training and Mateus Fernandes having had limited preparation time during the week following the birth of his child.

According to De Zerbi, the alternative formation offered greater protection against counter-attacks and helped Tottenham maintain control of the contest.

He was particularly pleased that Coventry failed to exploit their preferred attacking method.

De Zerbi explained that counter-attacking football accounts for approximately 80 per cent of Coventry’s approach, and Tottenham successfully prevented the visitors from creating danger through that route.

Although Spurs did not produce as many chances as they might have wanted, the manager believed his tactical plan had achieved its principal defensive objective.

Kulusevski Makes Emotional Tottenham Comeback

One of the evening’s biggest talking points was the return of Dejan Kulusevski, who came off the bench to a tremendous reception from the home supporters.

The Swedish international had been absent since suffering a complicated knee injury, and his appearance represented a significant milestone after a lengthy period away from competitive action.

De Zerbi revealed that he had considered the importance of the occasion when deciding to introduce the winger.

Mohammed Kudus had opportunities to help Tottenham extend their advantage, but the manager ultimately chose to bring Kulusevski onto the pitch, recognising how much his return meant to the supporters.

The Italian explained that the team needed the crowd’s encouragement and felt that fans who had endured the club’s difficult spell deserved a positive moment.

He said:

“Kudus could have finished the game but I brought on Kulusevski for the fans. We needed their support and they have suffered with us so they deserved this win.”

Kulusevski’s return was therefore about more than simply adding another attacking option. It was also an emotional occasion for a player who had spent a considerable amount of time working towards his comeback.

Robertson and Adarabioyo Injury Concerns

Despite the positive result, Tottenham were forced into changes during the second half after Andy Robertson and Tosin Adarabioyo both appeared to experience physical problems.

The pair were withdrawn in the 69th minute, with Ben Davies and Mateus Fernandes introduced as De Zerbi adjusted his team.

Robertson had delivered an influential performance, supplying the assist for Omar Marmoush’s excellent second goal. His possible injury will therefore be a concern for the manager, particularly given the importance of his contribution on the left flank.

Adarabioyo was making his full Tottenham debut and had provided a reasonably composed defensive performance before being substituted.

The available comments do not establish the exact nature or severity of either player’s problem, meaning further medical assessment will be needed before their availability for upcoming matches can be determined.

Tottenham will also be monitoring their existing midfield concerns, with Bergvall already sidelined and Gallagher having only recently returned.

Marmoush and Davies Secure the Victory

Coventry briefly threatened to spoil Tottenham’s evening when Jack Rudoni equalised five minutes after half-time.

The goal exposed some defensive uncertainty, with the ball falling kindly to Rudoni following a delivery into the penalty area and an attempted intervention involving Brandon Thomas-Asante.

However, Spurs responded positively.

Marmoush restored the hosts’ advantage in the 58th minute with an outstanding individual finish. After receiving Robertson’s pass, the Egyptian forward battled past his opponent before curling the ball into the far corner.

The strike was his first goal for Tottenham and provided a crucial moment in the contest.

Davies subsequently helped settle the match when his late effort was fumbled into the net by Coventry goalkeeper Carl Rushworth, ensuring Spurs finished the evening with a two-goal margin of victory.

Final Verdict: Relief for De Zerbi, but More Work Remains

Tottenham’s 3-1 win represents a welcome breakthrough after six consecutive Premier League matches without a victory.

Maddison’s return, Marmoush’s first goal for the club and Kulusevski’s comeback provided three major positives, while De Zerbi’s explanation of his tactical decisions offered insight into the challenges facing his squad.

Nevertheless, the manager made it clear that Tottenham still have improvements to make, especially when facing opponents who defend deep and deny them space in attacking areas.

The potential injuries to Robertson and Adarabioyo also leave questions about squad availability ahead of the next fixture.

For now, Tottenham can enjoy a much-needed victory and the confidence that comes with finally ending their winless streak. The next priority is to build on that result, improve their attacking consistency and continue climbing away from the relegation zone.