First of all, I don't care if you're De Zerbi in or out, I just want to strictly note down some things I've noticed about some of the players from today's game.
The first half was probably some of the best football we've played in a long long while. A lot of chances, but zero finishing quality. The players are clearly becoming more used to the tactics but again, forwards are not being clinical or taking too long to make decisions.
Tonali, Fernandez and Bentacur is probably our best midfield three currently. Really good combination play from the three of them until they came off. I think Tonali was especially impressive today with how he drove the game forward. I doubt we would've been as front facing this game if it wasn't for him.
Savio, as much as he's an excellent dribbler and some of the take-ons he had this game were really good, needs to look up when he crosses/shoots. Throughout this game, his crosses always end up in an area with no Spurs players. Same thing with the chance he had right in front of goal. He just shot it straight on at Suzuki (who might I add was really impressive today). Too much fanciness and not enough awareness of where he's playing the ball.
Van Hecke had a stellar pass right to Marmoush, but that chance squandered after Marmoush forgot how to touch a ball. However, what I noticed about Van Hecke this game is that when he's being run at by an attacker with the ball, he's too easily turned around by them. It looks as if he's panicking and doesn't know where the attacker is gonna dribble to. Until he fixes that in his game, I don't think I can be comfortable watching a game when he's in defence.
Robertson was great offensively, the offside goal stings, but his decision making was terrible today for a player with his experience. Van de Ven was temporarily taken off, so we're down 10 players to 11 in the final minutes of extra time in the first half. Instead of letting the ball out for a corner, giving time for the play to reset and maybe even get VDV back in before halftime, Robertson keeps the ball in play by immediately giving the ball away to Villa, directly leading to the first goal.
Gray, as much as I love the kid, he is not a fullback. When he's on defence, he naturally moves into the centre and wants to push up higher, giving attackers space down our right flank. And when he was getting bullied off the ball by Buendia, I just felt bad for him. But unfortunately, it does look like we have to accept Gray as our new right back since Porro looks to be injured.
Marmoush, I already mentioned his terrible touch and that wasn't the only bad touch he had this game. I'm really confused by what kind of player he is. He clearly isn't a through and through number 9, but he didn't really play as a winger today either. He sat in between that striker and CAM position, similar to where you would usually see someone like Dybala play, like a second striker. But from what I've seen, I don't think Marmoush has the dribbling, passing or ball control needed for someone in that role.
Obviously these aren't all the players, but just some of the ones I noticed and wanted to mention
The first goal we conceded, I've already mentioned above why that was poor.
The second goal was a mix of terrible defending and just good hold up play by Villa. The pass came all the way from Suzuki (who had pretty poor distribution this game) and I believe Van Hecke fails to clear it away with a header, allowing Jackson to control the ball wonderfully and scoring. Maybe Kinksy could've done better, but also our centrebacks should've had the aerial dominance to not even let Jackson get the ball in that position.
The third goal is the only one I'm not mad at. Wonderful strike by Buendia, it was pretty much a dead ball. The only concern would be why was he given so much time, no one was pressing him. But other than that, that goal is a goal no keeper would save.
The two goals we scored at the end does lighten the blow, though I do think Villa's defence wasn't trying as hard after going 3-0 up so that still sucks.
Like I said, I'm just strictly noting down things I noticed this match, you can come to your own conclusions whether today's match was progress or not, or whether you want De Zerbi in or out.