De Zerbi eyes the fix for Spurs’ scoring drought

Tottenham are yet to score in the Premier League after four games, a drought BBC Sport links to how Roberto De Zerbi’s tactical ideas are being adapted to his new Spurs project.

Building a more vertical plan

The article says De Zerbi’s sides often try to bait opponents into applying pressure, sometimes by slowing the tempo and working the ball backwards. The response then comes fast: when the opponent reacts to their movements, Spurs look to speed up and attack the space behind the pressing players through direct passing or carrying.

BBC Sport also cites De Zerbi’s own coaching message from a 2020 seminar: “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.” The sense is that the team’s forwards are already being positioned to face bigger pockets of space against fewer defenders.

The 2-3-2-3 shape in possession

In possession, Spurs often look like a 2-3-2-3. BBC Sport describes a holding midfielder (normally Rodrigo Bentancur) anchoring the midfield in front of two central defenders, with a fairly fixed trio. Around that base, there is rotation between wingers, full-backs and central midfielders, with players swapping zones to keep the structure and fill gaps as they appear.

The piece highlights an example on the left: Andy Robertson can push higher as Marmoush inverts into an attacking midfield role.

What could unlock the chances

BBC Sport argues that the success of the central build-up depends on multiple things lining up: the receiver’s ability to handle pressure, and role suitability. It points to tactical tweaks such as Sandro Tonali rotating with Archie Gray, the latter starting at right-back to match the demands of tighter spaces.

It also flags the return of James Maddison—back from a shoulder injury for last Tuesday’s Carabao Cup tie at Liverpool—as a potential boost because he is better suited to those between-the-lines spaces.

Learning curve

Finally, the article notes that part of the issue may simply be time. It contrasts De Zerbi’s approach with the prior setup under Thomas Frank, where Spurs progressed more through the flanks and skipped the centre to reduce turnover risk. Moving to a more central, brave build-up is something players still need to fully recalibrate.

Source: BBC Sport.