Tottenham manager Roberto De Zerbi explained why several senior players missed the club’s pre-season win over Auckland FC.
Tottenham Hotspur manager Roberto De Zerbi opted for caution over star power as Spurs defeated A-League champions Auckland FC 2-0 in a pre-season friendly in New Zealand, handing several academy prospects the chance to impress.
Victory at Eden Park 💪 pic.twitter.com/ZGAh1XRyby
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) July 26, 2026
Rather than rushing his first-team stars back into action after a demanding summer, De Zerbi fielded a youthful starting lineup, explaining before kick-off that player fitness remained his biggest priority following the club’s long-distance trip.
“It’s a chance for the young players,” De Zerbi told reporters. He added that after such extensive travel, Tottenham had no intention of taking unnecessary risks with players who were not yet physically ready to feature.
The decision meant several of Tottenham’s biggest names were absent. New club-record signing Sandro Tonali missed the match because of what De Zerbi described as “one small problem,” while defenders Jan Paul van Hecke, Andy Robertson and Marcos Senesi were also left out.
Among the club’s major summer arrivals, only midfielder Mateus Fernandes, signed from West Ham in an $85 million deal, featured. He entered the match shortly after the hour mark alongside a wave of experienced players that included Ben Davies, Mathys Tel, Conor Gallagher and Richarlison.
Tottenham’s youngsters took full advantage of their opportunity before the senior players arrived. Dane Scarlett opened the scoring early in the contest, continuing his encouraging pre-season form before Richarlison sealed the victory with Spurs’ second goal after coming off the bench.
“I’m very happy because we played in a good way and respected the game and the country we are in.” 🗣️
Roberto’s reflections on today’s pre-season fixture can be found on the official Spurs app!
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) July 26, 2026
Beyond the result, the occasion proved historic for football in New Zealand. A crowd of 40,112 packed Eden Park, setting a new attendance record for a men’s football match in the country and surpassing the previous mark of 37,034, which was recorded during New Zealand’s World Cup qualifier against Peru in 2017.
For De Zerbi, the afternoon was less about the final score and more about managing his squad ahead of the new campaign. By protecting key players while giving emerging talents valuable minutes, Tottenham took another measured step in their preparations for the 2026/27 season.
