Roberto De Zerbi has urged Tottenham to channel the hostility of rival fans into motivation as they battle for Premier League survival at Chelsea tonight.
Spurs realistically need just a point from their last two fixtures to avoid relegation. But first, they must try to achieve that at Stamford Bridge, a ground where they have won just one league match in 35 attempts.
The atmosphere will be white hot. Chelsea fans will be desperate to pile more misery on their London rivals. De Zerbi wants his players to love it.
‘If everyone wants Tottenham relegated, that’s fuel’
“We have to enjoy this pressure. We have to find new motivation from this pressure,” De Zerbi said.
“I think it’s a good thing for us. If everyone wants Tottenham relegated, it’s a big motivation for me and I hope for my players as well.”
The Italian isn’t hiding from the hostility. He’s embracing it.
“We have to accept that football is nice because of the rivalry. It’s good to imagine ourselves celebrating the win in their stadium. That’s the reason football is like this, no?
“It’s a motivation, it’s a challenge. If a challenge is tougher, it’s better for us to find new motivation and to be focused on staying together from the beginning to the end of the game.”
The record that haunts Tottenham
De Zerbi admitted his players spoke about the Stamford Bridge record this morning. But he’s not letting it become a psychological barrier.
“We spoke this morning about this record, but the most important is the spirit, the personality for tomorrow to play a good game and to make points because the most important now is to stay up.”
Then came the rallying cry.
“The pride is amazing motivation. The pride, if everyone wants Tottenham relegated, I think for one Tottenham player, one Tottenham fan, all the people who work inside Tottenham, it has to be the biggest motivation.”
‘No, no, stop, we don’t play for a draw’
A draw will all but secure survival for Spurs due to their superior goal difference over West Ham. But De Zerbi isn’t entertaining that approach.
“No, no, stop, we can’t start the game thinking to draw. We have to start the game and we prepare the game and we speak in the meeting to win the game.”
That’s the mentality. Not damage limitation. Not hoping for the best. Going to win.
The bottom line
Tottenham need a point. History says they won’t get it at Stamford Bridge. But De Zerbi is trying to rewrite the narrative.
Use the hatred. Feel the pressure. Celebrate in their stadium.
It’s a bold approach. But with survival on the line, bold is what’s required.
Chelsea await. The crowd will be raucous. The stakes couldn’t be higher.
De Zerbi has lit the fuse. Now his players need to handle the explosion.
