Photo: TVSEI / CC BY 3.0 / Wikimedia Commons
Tottenham Hotspur manager Roberto De Zerbi has made his first visit to Australia as the club continues its pre-season tour, having already played in New Zealand last week.
The squad defeated A-League champions Auckland FC at Eden Park on Sunday and now prepares to face Sydney FC at Allianz Stadium on Wednesday (10.45am UK), followed by a meeting with Chelsea at the Accor Stadium on Saturday (10.45am UK).
"It's my first time in Australia," De Zerbi told media in Sydney on Monday morning. "My first impression is Sydney is an amazing city, very nice, but first of all we have not too much time to go to visit. We have to work, we have to stay focused on the job."
De Zerbi outlined the purpose of the tour as one of fitness and cohesion. "We are looking to improve our physical condition, improve our level of play, improve the connection between the players and the relationship with the players in these days in New Zealand and Australia," he said.
The Italian also stressed the importance of playing in front of Tottenham's global fanbase. "It's important we go to play in front of our fans, because Tottenham have fans everywhere in the world," he added.
With Tottenham's Premier League opener against Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium scheduled for 22 August (5.30pm UK), De Zerbi described what he is building toward. "To build a new team with the qualities, for sure, with big players, for sure, but with soul, with passion, with all the values we have. Football now is not just on the pitch, it's not just with the ball, it's before, it's in life. It's how many hours during the day you think about your job."
Tottenham have been active in the transfer market this summer, signing Andy Robertson, Marco Senesi, and Mateus Fernandes, while a deal for Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali is also reported to be in progress.