De Zerbi Prepares for First Tottenham Match Amid Relegation Fight

Roberto De Zerbi is set to manage his first Premier League match for Tottenham Hotspur against Sunderland on Sunday, March 31, as the club faces a critical relegation battle. Tottenham currently sits just above the drop zone with seven matches remaining in the season.

De Zerbi's appointment follows a disappointing tenure under Thomas Frank and Igor Tudor, where the team failed to win a domestic league match since October 2026. The club's European campaign ended in the last 16 with a 7-5 aggregate defeat to Atletico Madrid.

Injuries have plagued Tottenham's season, affecting key players such as Dejan Kulusevski, James Maddison, and striker Domin Solanke, who recently returned from an ankle issue. Xavi Simons is struggling with fitness, and summer signing Mohamad Kudus may require thigh surgery, making his return this season unlikely.

Goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario will also miss the trip due to hernia surgery, while Rodrigo Bentancur is regaining full fitness. De Zerbi aims to ensure Tottenham's survival in the Premier League for the long term.