Spurs struggle in 3-0 loss to Brentford on opening weekend
ESPN Soccer • 2 min read • Latest: Aug 22, 2026, 7:50 PM
Last updated Aug 22, 2026
Tottenham Hotspur suffered a 3-0 defeat against Brentford in their first match of the 2026-27 Premier League season at the Gtech Community Stadium on August 22. Brentford dominated the game, scoring twice in the first half through Keane Lewis-Potter and Vitaly Janelt, before adding a third from Michael Kayode shortly after halftime. Tottenham's head coach Roberto De Zerbi expressed disappointment over his team's lack of competitiveness, highlighting issues with physical fitness and duel performance. The loss marks a rough beginning for Spurs, who had high hopes following significant summer signings. Following the defeat, De Zerbi emphasized the need for improvement as the team adjusts with many new players.
- •Tottenham lost 3-0 to Brentford in their season opener on August 22.
- •Brentford scored three goals, with two coming before halftime.
- •Roberto De Zerbi noted Spurs lacked fight and competitiveness.
- •Spurs debuted four new players, including Sandro Tonali and Andrew Robertson.
- •The team aims to improve after a disappointing start to the season.
- 9:33 PMESPN Soccer — De Zerbi: Spurs not ready, lacking fight in loss
- 8:27 PMThe Guardian Sport — Roberto De Zerbi says Tottenham are not a ‘team’ and hits out at lack of fight
- 7:50 PMYahoo Sports — De Zerbi explains where it went so badly wrong for Spurs against Brentford
- 7:36 PMYahoo Sports — Spurs lacked fight in dismal defeat at Brentford says De Zerbi
- 7:23 PMBBC Sport — Spurs 'didn't fight in the right way' - Di Zerbi
"‘We are not in the right physical condition for a lot of reasons’ Spurs beaten 3-0 at Brentford in Premier League opener Roberto De Zerbi said that Tottenham are “not a team” after they opened their season with a humiliating 3-0 defeat away to Brentford. Spurs are looking to kick on after almost going down last season and are expected to spend more than £300m this summer but they were handed a rude awakening at the Gtech Community Stadium. Brentford outclassed the north Londoners and left De Zerbi rueing a lack of fight from his players, bemoaning his side’s physical condition and suggesting that the pre-season tour of Australia did not function well enough. Continue reading...
"Roberto De Zerbi apologised for Tottenham's woeful 3-0 defeat at Brentford as he admitted his players did not fight hard enough in their miserable start to the Premier League season on Saturday.De Zerbi insisted he would not lose faith with his players despite such a frustrating start to the campaign.
"Roberto De Zerbi believes Spurs lacked the fight needed to win duels against Brentford as they fell to a humiliating 3-0 defeat on Saturday evening. The Bees were rampant in the opening half at the Gt...
Sources
External links- ESPN SoccerAug 22, 2026, 9:33 PMDe Zerbi: Spurs not ready, lacking fight in loss
Roberto De Zerbi has said that Tottenham are undercooked and "lacking fight" after they slumped to a 3-0 defeat at Brentford.
- The Guardian SportAug 22, 2026, 8:27 PMRoberto De Zerbi says Tottenham are not a ‘team’ and hits out at lack of fight
‘We are not in the right physical condition for a lot of reasons’ Spurs beaten 3-0 at Brentford in Premier League opener Roberto De Zerbi said that Tottenham are “not a team” after they opened their season with a humiliating 3-0 defeat away to Brentford. Spurs are looking to kick on after almost going down last season and are expected to spend more than £300m this summer but they were handed a rude awakening at the Gtech Community Stadium. Brentford outclassed the north Londoners and left De Zerbi rueing a lack of fight from his players, bemoaning his side’s physical condition and suggesting that the pre-season tour of Australia did not function well enough. Continue reading...
- Yahoo SportsAug 22, 2026, 7:50 PMDe Zerbi explains where it went so badly wrong for Spurs against Brentford
Roberto De Zerbi believes Spurs lacked the fight needed to win duels against Brentford as they fell to a humiliating 3-0 defeat on Saturday evening. The Bees were rampant in the opening half at the Gt...
- Yahoo SportsAug 22, 2026, 7:36 PMSpurs lacked fight in dismal defeat at Brentford says De Zerbi
Roberto De Zerbi apologised for Tottenham's woeful 3-0 defeat at Brentford as he admitted his players did not fight hard enough in their miserable start to the Premier League season on Saturday.De Zerbi insisted he would not lose faith with his players despite such a frustrating start to the campaign.
- BBC SportAug 22, 2026, 7:23 PMSpurs 'didn't fight in the right way' - Di Zerbi
Tottenham Hotspur head coach Roberto Di Zerbi believes his side "didn't fight in the right way" in their 3-0 loss to Brentford in the opening match of the 2026-27 Premier League season.
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