Tottenham Hotspur manager Roberto de Zerbi has publicly supported Rodrigo Bentancur following the midfielder’s sending-off in the 1-1 draw against Manchester United at Old Trafford. Bentancur was dismissed in the 78th minute after headbutting Luke Shaw during a heated altercation while Spurs were trailing 1-0.
Despite playing the final stages with ten men, Tottenham secured a point when Dominic Solanke scored a header in the second minute of stoppage time. The result leaves Spurs winless in their opening six Premier League games, keeping them in the relegation zone with just three points.
De Zerbi, however, focused on the positive shift in attitude rather than the disciplinary lapse. “I kissed Rodrigo and said thanks,” the manager told reporters. “In that moment, perhaps with 10 players we played with more courage and more energy. For a long time, Tottenham played without this blood, without this character.”
The incident occurred after Shaw, who had been on the receiving end of a reckless challenge from Bentancur, shoved the Uruguayan off the pitch. Bentancur responded by lowering his head into Shaw’s face. Referee Stuart Attwell issued the red card, and both players were separated by teammates.
While acknowledging the error, De Zerbi emphasized the necessity of such fight. “I liked the situation with the red card. We need this type of reaction at this moment—not to bring a red card, but we cannot accept defeat,” he said on Sky Sports. “I kissed Bentancur in the dressing room because we need this character. Football is character.”
Despite spending over £250 million on ten new signings this summer, Spurs have struggled for cohesion. However, De Zerbi believed the performance at Old Trafford marked a turning point. “Today has been the game where, for the first time this season, we showed we are a team,” he stated. “We played for our teammates, we stayed in the game in every situation, and we attacked and defended as a unit.”
To further build squad chemistry, the club has organized a warm-weather training camp in Marbella, Spain, expected to begin on Sunday. De Zerbi added, “Now the target is to build the team. We are a great group of players, but we are not a team yet. To be a team is to play for your teammates, suffer together, and attack together.”
Spurs remain winless in the Premier League this season, a rare occurrence for the club that has only happened three times prior, in the 1912-13, 1955-56, and 2008-09 campaigns. They have scored only three goals in six matches, the joint-lowest tally in the league. Their next fixture is against newly-promoted Coventry City on Monday, 19 October, followed by a trip to Chelsea the subsequent Saturday.
Winless in six games after spending £250 million is alarming. Does character really fix a lack of cohesion?
I’m stunned they actually got a point after going down to ten men. Solanke’s header was pure drama!
Kissing him after a red card? De Zerbi’s prioritizing ‘heart’ over discipline, which feels dangerously wrong.