Tottenham Hotspur manager Roberto De Zerbi was unequivocal about the importance of the upcoming clash with Wolverhampton Wanderers, stressing that while he does not wish to burden his squad with extra stress, the reality of their situation leaves no room for complacency. The Spurs find themselves entrenched in a relegation battle, perched in the bottom three of the Premier League table and trailing West Ham United by two points and Nottingham Forest by eight, following a crushing 5-0 defeat of Sunderland at the Stadium of Light on Friday night. Having secured only a single point under De Zerbi’s stewardship – a hard‑earned draw at home against Brighton where Spurs twice held the lead before ultimately settling for a stalemate – the team has yet to register a league victory in the 2026 campaign.
With just five matches remaining in the season, the Italian coach emphasized that his players must remain fully aware of the stakes. "I don't want to create additional pressure, but we must understand where we stand," De Zerbi told reporters. "We cannot ignore the table, we cannot ignore the fact that we need wins.
What we have done so far simply isn’t enough. If we can take three points at Wolves, the battle isn’t over, but it will be a crucial step forward." He went on to outline the difficulty of the task ahead, noting that Wolves have already been relegated and therefore have "nothing to lose," which often makes them dangerous opponents.
"They have already confirmed their drop, so they will play with freedom and intensity. We have to be ready to handle that pressure ourselves, not let it overwhelm us," De Zerbi said. Tottenham’s recent form has been a roller‑coaster of near‑misses. After a promising performance against Brighton – a side De Zerbi praised as one of the league’s strongest after Chelsea – Spurs felt the sting of bad luck rather than a lack of quality.
"We played well, but the ball didn’t bounce our way," he added, highlighting the fine margins that have defined their season. Injury concerns continue to plague the squad.
Midfielder James Maddison, who suffered an ACL rupture during pre‑season, has finally been named on the bench for the Brighton game, marking his first inclusion since the injury. However, De Zerbi confirmed that Maddison is still not fully fit to feature. "He felt pain this week, but it’s not a serious problem. He will travel with us to Wolves because his presence in the dressing room is vital," the manager explained.
"Whether he plays or not is secondary; his leadership and positive attitude are essential for the group." Other key absences include full‑back Destiny Udogie, midfielder Pape Sarr, and goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario, all of whom are listed on the club’s extensive injury register that also features captain Cristian Romero, Mohamed Kudus and Dejan Kulusevski. De Zerbi gave brief updates on each player: "Udogie struggled in the second half against Brighton and I don’t think he will be fit for tomorrow. Sarr has a shoulder problem and missed this week’s training, so he won’t travel. Vicario is also unavailable, but we expect him back by next Monday." The manager also praised the form of younger talents such as Djed Spence and the versatility of the squad, expressing optimism that returning players will regain full fitness in time for the final stretch of the season.
"Antonin Kinsky is playing really well, and I hope Vicario can return in top condition. They are important pieces of our puzzle," De Zerbi added. Off the pitch, Tottenham have taken a firm stance against racism.
In response to online abuse directed at defender Kevin Danso after the Brighton draw, the club announced that players will wear shirts emblazoned with "Spurs against Racism" for the Wolves match. The statement underscored the club’s commitment to zero tolerance, noting that all abusive content has been reported to the Metropolitan Police, resulting in the removal and banning of offending accounts. De Zerbi expressed his personal frustration at the incident, saying, "I was very annoyed by the abuse aimed at Kevin. He played a fantastic game; a single mistake does not define a player.
The behaviour off the pitch is what concerns me." Looking ahead, De Zerbi’s tactical approach will likely focus on maintaining defensive solidity while exploiting the spaces left by Wolves’ attacking players, who may be more inclined to push forward given their relegated status. He emphasized the need for his squad to play with confidence, free from over‑thinking: "My job is to prepare the team as best as possible, but ultimately it’s about playing football. These players have great qualities and can perform without too many doubts in their heads." The upcoming match at Molineux is set to be a pivotal moment for Tottenham. A victory would not only narrow the gap to safety but also inject much‑needed belief into a side that has struggled to convert performances into points.
Conversely, a loss could deepen the crisis and increase the pressure on De Zerbi and his staff as the season draws to a close. Fans can watch the live action via the Sky Sports app, with highlights available from 5.15 pm on Saturday. The club also encourages supporters to engage with its anti‑racism campaign and to stay informed about the latest Premier League standings and transfer news as the final weeks of the season unfold.