Tottenham Hotspur’s first Premier League game of the season couldn’t have possibly gone worse as they fell to a sobering 3-0 defeat against Bournemouth.
First-half goals from Keane Lewis-Potter and Vitaly Janelt set the Bees on their way, while Michael Kayode added a third from close range to seal the win.
Igor Thiago had a chance to make it four for Brentford, but his penalty hit the post as Tottenham’s blushes were spared.
A lot of things went wrong for the away side, but Roberto De Zerbi feels three of his players struggled to get to grips with the game physically.
De Zerbi sends pointed message to Tottenham trio
The Italian singled out Jan Paul van Hecke, Sandro Tonali and Marcos Senesi after the game, claiming that they weren’t up to the mark physically.
“Our physical condition was not at the right level for all players,” said De Zerbi to the BBC via Football London.
“Many came later after the World Cup and there were many new players in the squad and first XI. But we have to analyse this game better because we can’t play this way in this type of game.
“I am surprised by the result and performance. I knew we were not in the right condition. We can’t find an excuse. I am sorry for the result and performance. We are starting a new project and we couldn’t find the principal.
“Marcos Senesi, Jan Paul van Hecke and Sandro Tonali are not in the best physical condition. We knew that before the game. We have to improve on that and many other things, like organisation and pressing.
“We can improve quickly but first, we have to understand this game better. I know their physical condition and new players but we have to put something more.
“We had to fight more. Players know I have a lot of confidence in them and we hope to improve quickly.”
The Tottenham trio did struggle to get to grips with the game, but that was the case with most of the players as it simply was a torrid day at the office. Not the ideal start to the season, it has to be said.
