Speaking ahead of the clash at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, De Zerbi expressed sympathy for his captain. "Romero is suffering a lot because he loves this club," he said. "He is a great captain for us, but now we have to stay positive. We have players like Radu Dragusin and Kevin Danso ready to step in. We want to win."

The Spurs boss admitted time is not on his side as he continues to assess his squad. "We have no time to waste," he said. "I am learning about the players every day, but the focus must be on the next game. The quality is important, but the spirit and relationships between players matter even more."

In a bid to lift morale, De Zerbi organised a team dinner during the week. "I don't know if dinner wins games," he joked, "but the food was very good. If we win, I will pay every week."

He believes unity will be crucial in the final stretch of the season. "Before tactics, I believe in people," he explained. "I want to see players helping each other and fighting for one target. If we fail, everyone loses something in their career."

There was some positive news on the injury front, with Rodrigo Bentancur available and Yves Bissouma fully fit, although goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario remains sidelined.

De Zerbi also praised Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler. "He is doing a great job. I love that club and I have great memories there, but tomorrow I want to win."

With no captain confirmed in Romero's absence, De Zerbi made his expectations clear: "I want every player to feel like a leader. We cannot feel sorry for ourselves. We must fight and be stronger."

He also highlighted the importance of leaders such as James Maddison, while urging others like Dominic Solanke and Xavi Simons to step up. "We need personality," he said. "Without character, you cannot play with me."

Despite Tottenham's difficult position in the table, De Zerbi remains confident. "One win can change everything," he said. "We need to feel that winning feeling again. I believe in these players. To reach big targets, you must go through tough moments."

Mason Mount and Raphael Varane return to training for Manchester United