With just three points separating them from the relegation zone, Spurs (17th, 38 points) face an existential threat. West Ham United (18th, 36 points), currently the first team in the drop zone, will play Leeds United simultaneously. A loss against Everton coupled with a West Ham victory could seal Tottenham’s fate.
De Zerbi, 46, delivered a passionate rallying cry to his players and fans: “Sunday is the final. Not the Europa League final in Bilbao against Manchester United last year. This is the real final for us now.” He emphasized the deeper stakes: “This isn’t about a trophy anymore. It’s about pride, identity, and what this club represents.”
A season spiralling downward
Nearly a year to the day after clinching the Europa League title with a 1-0 win over Manchester United—their first major trophy since 2008—Totttenham now teeter on the brink of a catastrophic collapse. Instead of building on that success, the North London club has plummeted into a relegation battle that could end their 47-year stay in the top flight.
De Zerbi calls for belief
Tottenham have managed just two home wins all season. The Italian manager urged his team to channel the energy and passion they showed in the final 20 minutes of Tuesday’s defeat: “I want us to play on Sunday like we did in those last 20 minutes—full of fight, full of heart, with something extra.”
“Every player is focused on the goal. They’ve worked hard all week. This is a final match for us, but it’s in our stadium. We have to keep our survival hopes alive. It’s a massive day for us.”
