Roberto De Zerbi says he has ‘big respect’ for Leeds United ahead of this evening’s huge Premier League clash at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium (8pm UK).
Leeds’ safety was guaranteed after West Ham’s defeat against Arsenal on Sunday. The Whites are on 43 points after 35 games – West Ham, with only two games left, can now only reach 42.
De Zerbi’s favourite moments from Villa Park and keeping “spirit and mentality” for Leeds
Daniel Farke’ side have lost just four of their last 22 games in the Premier League, drawing 11 – and it all changed at Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium in November. Leeds were trailing 2-0 at half-time, Farke switched to a three-man defence and Leeds stormed back, levelling at 2-2 before losing in added time.
That system has served Farke well since – they were in the bottom three after MW13 – they’re now safe going into MW35 and on a run of six unbeaten, winning three of their last four.
Speaking about the test Leeds will provide, Roberto said: “First of all, we go to play against one of the best teams in this moment, because in the last five, six games they won against Manchester United, they drew in Bournemouth playing well, they won at home two times, Wolves and Burnley, and for that we have a big respect.
“Their style is very clear. They have a great organisation on the pitch, with the ball and without the ball. They have good players – Calvert-Lewin and Okafor, Tanaka and Ampadu are all very good players not to fight for relegation, but a higher level. The focus is on us, not because we become arrogant, but because we have the quality enough if we play like we know, like we can, to win the game, for sure.”
Match Preview: Everything you need to know ahead of Leeds clash