Mikey Moore delivered a brace in Tottenham Hotspur's 3-0 pre‑season triumph over Hoffenheim at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, cementing a confident start to the new campaign. The 19‑year‑old striker found the net twice in the second half, with both goals arriving after Mathys Tel supplied precise assists. The opening goal came in the first half when Richarlison headed home from a low, curling cross delivered by new signing Andy Robertson, setting the tone for a dominant display. The match also marked the home debuts of four recent acquisitions – Robertson, Sandro Tonali, Jan Paul van Hecke and Marcos Senesi – each of whom impressed in the 90 minutes and helped Tottenham maintain an unbeaten record throughout the pre‑season schedule.
Despite the bright start, the squad was missing several key figures, including centre‑back Micky van de Ven, attacking midfielder James Maddison and full‑back Mateus Fernandes, who were all unavailable due to minor injuries or rest. Supporters will be eager to see whether these absentees can be reintegrated for the final behind‑closed‑doors friendly against Hoffenheim at the club's training ground on Sunday. The game will provide Roberto De Zerbi with a final opportunity to assess his squad before the Premier League opener at Brentford next Saturday, a fixture that will be broadcast live on Sky Sports.
In a parallel Sky Sports promotion, viewers are reminded to use the Chrome browser for optimal video playback, and are offered options to watch the match via the Sky Sports app, either with an existing subscription or through a short‑term, contract‑free trial. Sky's own analysis of the pre‑season win highlighted two players who had been linked with departures but instead delivered solid performances. Moore, who was on the brink of a loan move to Bundesliga side Cologne, stayed put after the loan fell through and rewarded De Zerbi with a two‑goal haul.
His first celebration was modest – a quick tap on the ball after Tel's cross – while his second was more expressive, showcasing his growing confidence in front of goal. The future of the academy graduate remains uncertain, with speculation about a possible loan or permanent move still circulating.
Midfielder Lucas Bergvall, another player whose future appeared in doubt, 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 importance of addressing Bergvall's concerns about playing time. Bergvall has featured regularly in pre‑season fixtures, and his performance at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium should have reassured the manager of his value to the squad. Andy Robertson, who left Liverpool seeking more regular minutes, made an immediate impact on the left flank.
His delivery was pinpoint, providing the assist for Richarlison's opener and repeatedly testing the Hoffenheim defence with dangerous crosses. The 32‑year‑old's arrival was touted as a boost to the dressing room culture, bringing a wealth of experience from his trophy‑laden Liverpool tenure. With fellow left‑back Destiny Udogie still yet to make a pre‑season appearance and questions lingering over his fitness, Robertson seized the opportunity to stake his claim as the first‑choice left‑back for the upcoming Premier League season.
Goalkeeper Antonin Kinský also earned plaudits for his clean‑sheet performance. The 23‑year‑old made several crucial saves, commanded his area effectively against Hoffenheim's aerial threats, and displayed composure with the ball at his feet – attributes that align well with De Zerbi's build‑up style.
This represents a significant turnaround from his earlier struggles in Madrid seven months prior, and his form has justified the decision to promote him ahead of veteran Guglielmo Vicario, who was omitted from the squad as Juventus reportedly pursued a transfer for the Italian keeper. The pre‑season itinerary leading up to the Hoffenheim fixture included a series of friendlies that helped the squad build match fitness: a 1‑0 win over MK Dons at the training ground on July 22, a 2‑0 victory against Auckland FC on July 26, a 1‑1 draw with Sydney FC (winning 4‑2 on penalties) on July 29, a 2‑1 win over Chelsea in Sydney on August 1, and a 1‑1 stalemate with Getafe behind closed doors on August 8.
The August 15 triumph over Hoffenheim was the culmination of this schedule, followed by a second behind‑closed‑doors encounter on August 16. Looking ahead, Tottenham will aim to translate the confidence generated by this performance into a strong start in the Premier League. The blend of youthful exuberance from players like Moore and Bergvall, combined with the seasoned leadership of Robertson and the solidity of Kinský between the posts, suggests a balanced squad capable of competing on multiple fronts. Fans will be watching closely to see how the manager integrates the returning injured players and whether the new signings can maintain the momentum established during the pre‑season.
The upcoming Brentford clash will serve as the first true test of De Zerbi's tactical ideas and the squad's cohesion ahead of a demanding season.