Tottenham Hotspur's Week 1 loss to Brentford was a shocking disappointment for manager Roberto De Zerbi. The team, which finished 17th in the Premier League last season with 41 points from 38 games, struggled to find its footing and conceded early goals.
What happened?
The match saw Tottenham Hotspur's starting midfield struggle to find its footing, with De Zerbi's decision to keep James Maddison and Mateus Fernandes on the bench looking worse as the game progressed. Lucas Bergvall made poor decisions on both of Brentford's first-half goals, and the team's wayward play turned bleak.
Why it matters for Tottenham Hotspur
The loss is a significant setback for Tottenham Hotspur, which had hoped to improve its standing after a busy summer transfer window. The team's spending has fueled hopes of a top-five run, but the Week 1 performance will remind many how much time it often takes for a team to come together.
What comes next?
De Zerbi will have to shoulder plenty of the blame for the loss, but he believes in his players and is focused on improving and finding the right spirit to fight. The team will look to bounce back from the disappointing start and work on its physical condition and organization. With 48 goals scored and 57 conceded last season, Tottenham Hotspur will need to improve its goal difference to compete with top teams like Arsenal, which finished 44 points ahead of them in the title race.
