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SportsQuiet 2d · day 5

De Zerbi benches Fernandes at half-time, sparks tactical questions

Tottenham manager criticizes £85m signing's performance in number 10 role; analysis suggests tactical mismatch.

newest coverage 2d agosummary written 1d ago4 pieces NewswiresMastodon

What to know

  • De Zerbi benched Fernandes at half-time of Tottenham's 3-2 loss to Aston Villa, stating he "didn't like his performance today."
  • Fernandes was deployed as a number 10 rather than in a deeper playmaking role—the position Tottenham paid £85m to acquire him for.
  • Tactical analysis suggests a mismatch: Tonali and Bentancur lack creative passing ability from deep, leaving Fernandes isolated and underutilized in an advanced position.
  • Tottenham remains winless in five league games as De Zerbi's tactical approach continues to be questioned.

“Rather than deploying Fernandes in a deeper role where he can progress the ball forward, De Zerbi has instead used his £85m signing as a number 10.”

Yahoo Sports analysis, Sports analysis · Yahoo Sports ↗

Roberto De ZerbiRoberto De Zerbi Tottenham managerMateus Fernandes Tottenham midfielderSandro TonaliSandro Tonali Tottenham midfielder

De Zerbi benches Fernandes at half-time, sparks tactical questions
Yahoo Sports

How it unfolded 2 developments, newest first · click a bar or a number to jump articlesposts

Peak 3 pieces in two hours at Sep 22, 4 AM; 4 pieces over 5 days (3 articles · 1 post) Sep 19, 10 AM — 1 piece · 1 article — Newswires 1Sep 19, 12 PM — quietSep 19, 2 PM — quietSep 19, 4 PM — quietSep 19, 6 PM — quietSep 19, 8 PM — quietSep 19, 10 PM — quietSep 20, 12 AM — quietSep 20, 2 AM — quietSep 20, 4 AM — quietSep 20, 6 AM — quietSep 20, 8 AM — quietSep 20, 10 AM — quietSep 20, 12 PM — quietSep 20, 2 PM — quietSep 20, 4 PM — quietSep 20, 6 PM — quietSep 20, 8 PM — quietSep 20, 10 PM — quietSep 21, 12 AM — quietSep 21, 2 AM — quietSep 21, 4 AM — quietSep 21, 6 AM — quietSep 21, 8 AM — quietSep 21, 10 AM — quietSep 21, 12 PM — quietSep 21, 2 PM — quietSep 21, 4 PM — quietSep 21, 6 PM — quietSep 21, 8 PM — quietSep 21, 10 PM — quietSep 22, 12 AM — quietSep 22, 2 AM — quietSep 22, 4 AM — 3 pieces · 2 articles · 1 post — Newswires 2, Mastodon 1Sep 22, 6 AM — quietSep 22, 8 AM — quietSep 22, 10 AM — quietSep 22, 12 PM — quietSep 22, 2 PM — quietSep 22, 4 PM — quietSep 22, 6 PM — quietSep 22, 8 PM — quietSep 22, 10 PM — quietYesterday, 12 AM — quietYesterday, 2 AM — quietYesterday, 4 AM — quietYesterday, 6 AM — quietYesterday, 8 AM — quietYesterday, 10 AM — quietYesterday, 12 PM — quietYesterday, 2 PM — quietYesterday, 4 PM — quietYesterday, 6 PM — quietYesterday, 8 PM — quietYesterday, 10 PM — quietToday, 12 AM — quietToday, 2 AM — quietToday, 4 AM — quiet ◂ 1 earlier2
Sep 20Sep 21Sep 22yesterdaynow · 5:46 AM ET
  1. background

    Analysis questions if De Zerbi is misdeploying Fernandes — Coverage notes that while Tottenham paid £85m for Fernandes—a creative midfielder—De Zerbi has used him as a number 10 rather than in a deeper playmaking role. With Tonali and Bentancur as the defensive pivot, neither known for dictating play, the positioning raises tactical questions as Spurs remain winless in five league games.

  2. 2

    De Zerbi explains Mathys Tel omission as tactical choice

    De Zerbi clarified that Tel was benched due to tactical preference, opting instead for three defenders and Archie Gray. He said Maddison and Kudus had more chances to change the game during play, and stated he had explained the decision to Tel beforehand.

    “Technical decision. He was in the stands, because I think during the game, Maddison and Kudus, they had more chances to change the game…”
    — Roberto De Zerbi
    1. 1 outlet De Zerbi criticises Fernandes’ performance and explains why he left out Tel

      first by Yahoo Sports, 4d ago

  3. 2 days quiet
  4. 1

    De Zerbi substitutes Fernandes at half-time in Villa loss

    Tottenham fell 1-0 down at half-time against Aston Villa with Fernandes playing in the number 10 role due to Maddison's injury. De Zerbi brought off Fernandes for Mohammed Kudus at the break. Spurs ultimately lost 3-2.

    “I didn't like his performance today….. It's not an attack on him because I love him. I just want more from him, even in that position.”
    — Roberto De Zerbi
    1. 2 outlets Is Roberto De Zerbi Misusing Mateus Fernandes For Tottenham?

      first by Forbes Business, 2d ago · also Yahoo Sports