Roberto De Zerbi’s time in charge of Tottenham Hotspur got off to a winning start, as Spurs edged past MK Dons 1-0 in a behind-closed-doors friendly at Hotspur Way on Wednesday evening.
It wasn’t a match packed with clear-cut chances, but Tottenham got the job done, and the headline moment belonged to new signing Mateus Fernandes. The £85 million recruit from West Ham marked his unofficial bow in style, netting a spectacular long-range strike to settle the contest.
Fernandes buzzing after standout first outing
Speaking afterwards, Fernandes called it the best goal of his career and said stepping out in a Spurs shirt for the first time felt like a special occasion. He explained that after scoring, he won the ball back almost immediately but resisted the temptation to shoot again, worried it might look like he was chasing a repeat rather than showing composure — so he opted to bring the ball down instead.
The midfielder said the display has boosted his confidence going into the rest of pre-season, though he admitted fatigue got the better of him late on and is something he’ll look to work on. Still, he was pleased overall with how the game went.
Asked directly if it was the finest goal of his career, he didn’t hesitate — confirming it topped his previous best from last season and adding that he wants to keep testing his shooting from distance, a skill he’s confident in and one that gives him belief moving forward.
Buying into De Zerbi’s vision
Fernandes also spoke about his role under the new manager, stressing that Tottenham’s success this season won’t come down to individual quality alone but to the whole squad buying into De Zerbi’s system. He described a clear tactical identity built around controlling matches, smart passing, dictating tempo and committing bodies forward — principles the squad are drilling in training.
While pleased with the opening result, he was quick to note it’s still early days, with plenty of improvement needed before the team reaches the level they’re aiming for, particularly in terms of match control and decision-making.
Settling in well at Spurs
On a personal level, Fernandes said his transition to life in North London has gone smoothly, crediting both De Zerbi and his new teammates for making him feel welcome — even joking that decent weather since his arrival has made the adjustment easier.
He spoke warmly about his early conversations with the manager and the squad’s welcome, adding that he’s fully aware of Tottenham’s stature as a club and the standard of daily performance required to compete at the top of the Premier League.
Eyes on a big season
Despite the ideal start, Fernandes made clear he sees this as just the beginning, setting his sights on all-round improvement — more goals, more assists and greater consistency than last season.
He also touched on the added pressure that comes with representing Tottenham, saying it pushes him to keep raising his own standards, and expressed full confidence that De Zerbi is the right man to develop both him and the team as they look to compete collectively going forward.
