Mikey Moore found the back of the net twice as Tottenham Hotspur comfortably defeated Hoffenheim 3-0 in a pre‑season friendly at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. The 19‑year‑old’s two second‑half strikes were both orchestrated by Mathys Tel, while the opening goal came from a pinpoint cross by new signing Andy Robertson that was headed in by Richarlison before the break. The match also marked the home debuts of four of Roberto De Zerbi’s summer acquisitions – Robertson, midfield prodigy Sandro Tonali, defender Jan Paul van Hecke and centre‑back Marcos Senesi – all of whom helped the team maintain an unbeaten pre‑season record.
Their performances hinted at the tactical flexibility De Zerbi hopes to employ once the Premier League campaign begins. Several key figures were missing from the squad, notably centre‑back Micky van de Ven, attacking midfielder James Maddison and versatile full‑back Mateus Fernandes.
Their absences will be felt in the final closed‑door friendly scheduled for Sunday, when Spurs will meet Hoffenheim again at their training ground. Supporters will be eager to see whether the missing players can be reintegrated ahead of the league opener. The pre‑season fixture was broadcast with a reminder to use the Chrome browser for optimal video playback.
Spurs will travel to Brentford for their first Premier League match next Saturday, a game that will be shown live on Sky Sports. Viewers with a Sky subscription can watch via the Sky Sports app, while non‑subscribers are offered a contract‑free trial to catch the action. Sky Sports also ran a special feature titled “Transfer Centre LIVE!” promoting the download of their app, and provided an analysis of Tottenham’s performance against Hoffenheim – the club’s first home friendly since securing survival from relegation in May. Two players who had been linked with departures impressed in the win.
Moore, who was on the verge of a loan move to Bundesliga side Cologne, instead delivered a brace that will give De Zerbi plenty to consider. His first celebration was restrained – a simple tap on the ball after Tel’s cross – but his second saw a more exuberant reaction as he finished off another precise pass from Tel. The future of the academy graduate remains uncertain, with several clubs reportedly monitoring his progress.
Midfielder Lucas Bergvall, whose future also appeared in flux, attracted interest from Newcastle United and Nottingham Forest two months ago. De Zerbi has publicly stated his intention to retain the Swedish international, emphasizing the need to address Bergvall’s concerns about limited playing time.
Bergvall has featured regularly in the friendlies, and his display at the stadium on Saturday should reassure the manager. Andy Robertson, who left Liverpool seeking more regular minutes, made an immediate impact on Tottenham’s left flank.
He supplied a series of dangerous deliveries, including the exact cross that set up Richarlison’s opening goal. The 32‑year‑old’s arrival was hailed as a boost to the dressing‑room culture, bringing a wealth of experience from his trophy‑laden Liverpool days.
With fellow left‑back Destiny Udogie still absent due to fitness concerns, Robertson has seized the opportunity to cement his place, and his performances suggest he could start the Premier League match against Brentford. Goalkeeper Antonín Kinský earned the clean sheet with a series of confident saves, reinforcing his claim to the number‑one spot.
The 23‑year‑old displayed composure under pressure, handling crosses adeptly and playing comfortably with the ball at his feet – attributes that fit De Zerbi’s possession‑oriented system. This marks a significant turnaround from his difficult outing in Madrid seven months earlier, and his form has displaced Guglielmo Vicario, who was omitted from the squad as Juventus reportedly eye a transfer for the Italian keeper. The pre‑season schedule leading up to the Hoffenheim game included victories over MK Dons (1‑0), Auckland FC (2‑0), a penalty‑shootout win against Sydney FC after a 1‑1 draw, a 2‑1 win over Chelsea in Sydney, and a 1‑1 draw with Getafe at the training ground. The friendly against Hoffenheim at the stadium on August 15 was followed by a behind‑closed‑doors rematch the next day, providing both squads an additional chance to fine‑tune tactics before the competitive season begins.
Overall, the 3‑0 triumph highlighted the depth and versatility of De Zerbi’s squad. New signings integrated smoothly, established players like Robertson showed they can adapt to new roles, and young talents such as Moore and Tel demonstrated that they can deliver when given the chance.
As Tottenham prepares for their Premier League debut, the performances in this friendly suggest a blend of experience and youthful energy that could prove decisive in the months ahead. For fans looking to engage further, Sky Sports is running a Super 6 competition with a £1 million prize, offering free entry for participants. This promotional activity adds an extra layer of excitement as the club transitions from pre‑season preparations to the rigors of top‑flight football.