Tottenham manager Roberto de Zerbi expressed disappointment following his team’s 3-0 defeat to Brentford, highlighting the difference in physicality as a key factor. “Bad game. We lost and suffered the difference in the duels. It was the key of this game. We didn’t fight in the right way,” de Zerbi stated. He acknowledged the quality of the Brentford team and noted, “Maybe credit to them because it’s the best quality Brentford have.”

De Zerbi pointed out that some of his players, many of whom returned late after the World Cup, were not in peak physical condition. “Our physical condition was not at the right level for all players because many came later after the World Cup and there were many new players in the squad and first XI,” he explained. He stressed the need for a comprehensive analysis of the match, stating, “We can’t play this way in this type of game.”

He also expressed surprise by the performance and result, saying, “I knew we were not in the right condition. We can’t find an excuse. I am sorry for the result and performance. We are starting a new project and we couldn’t find the principal.” De Zerbi acknowledged issues with players like Marcos Senesi, Jan Paul van Hecke, and Sandro Tonali not being in optimal shape, remarking, “We knew that before the game. We have to improve on that and many other things, like organisation and pressing.”

He concluded that improvements can happen quickly but centered the importance of understanding the game better: “I know their physical condition and new players but we have to put something more. We had to fight more. Players know I have a lot of confidence in them and we hope to improve quickly.”

On more signings: “I don’t want the excuse that the first XI was not enough to compete and get a result. Brentford’s spirit on the pitch was great; it has to be the right example for us.”

Tottenham midfielder Archie Gray, speaking to Sky Sports, remarked, “For some reason on days in football, a team can outfight another team; it’s on us and the fans have been incredible.” In discussing the fitness levels of the starting lineup, he stated, “I don’t think there’s any excuses to be honest.”

Gray reflected on the team’s need for improvement from the previous season, acknowledging, “It’s definitely an improvement from last season. It’s not the start we wanted, going into the mid-week game on Wednesday.” He emphasized that the work done during the week is aimed at improving performance but reiterated, “today we got out-fought.”

On becoming Tottenham’s youngest-ever Premier League starting captain: “It was an amazing moment and I’m grateful for the manager for trusting me but again, today wasn’t good enough.”

Did you know?

• Tottenham Hotspur suffered their joint-heaviest defeat on MD1 of a Premier League season, having also lost 3-0 to Manchester United in 2011-12.

• Against Brentford, Archie Gray (20y 163d) became the youngest player to start a Premier League match for Tottenham Hotspur as captain, overtaking Harry Kane v Burnley in April 2015 (21y 251d).

Tottenham manager Roberto de Zerbi, speaking to BBC Match of the Day: “Bad game. We lost and suffered the difference in the duels. It was the key of this game. We didn’t fight in the right way. Maybe credit to them because it’s the best quality Brentford have.

“Our physical condition was not at the right level for all players because many came later after the World Cup and there were many new players in the squad and first XI. But we have to analyse this game better because we can’t play this way in this type of game.

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“I am surprised by the result and performance. I knew we were not in the right condition. We can’t find an excuse. I am sorry for the result and performance. We are starting a new project and we couldn’t find the principal.

“Marcos Senesi, Jan Paul van Hecke and Sandro Tonali are not in the best physical condition. We knew that before the game. We have to improve on that and many other things, like organisation and pressing.

“We can improve quickly but first, we have to understand this game better. I know their physical condition and new players but we have to put something more. We had to fight more. Players know I have a lot of confidence in them and we hope to improve quickly.”

On more signings: “I don’t want the excuse that the first XI was not enough to compete and get a result. Brentford’s spirit on the pitch was great, it has to be the right example for us.”

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Tottenham midfielder Archie Gray, speaking to Sky Sports: “For some reason on days in football, a team can outfight another team, it’s on us and the fans have been incredible.”

On fitness in the starting line-up: “I don’t think there’s any excuses to be honest.”

On hangover from last season: “We’ve got work to do, you saw that performance. It’s definitely an improvement from last season. It’s not the start we wanted, going into the mid-week game on Wednesday.”

On looking ahead for the rest of the season: “The work we do in the week is about moving in the right direction but today we got out-fought.”

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On becoming Tottenham’s youngest-ever Premier League starting captain: “It was an amazing moment and I’m grateful for the manager for trusting me but again, today wasn’t good enough.”

Did you know?

• Tottenham Hotspur suffered their joint-heaviest defeat on MD1 of a Premier League season, having also lost 3-0 to Manchester United in 2011-12.

• Against Brentford, Archie Gray (20y 163d) became the youngest player to start a Premier League match for Tottenham Hotspur as captain, overtaking Harry Kane v Burnley in April 2015 (21y 251d).