Roberto de Zerbi’s upbringing among Brescia’s most devoted supporters is presented as an influence on the Tottenham manager’s intense footballing ethos and the club’s recent revival. The article links that background to Spurs’ record signing Sandro Tonali, who also developed at Brescia, as both men reflect on the turmoil affecting their former club.

Brescia Calcio was excluded from professional football last summer amid debts and was wound up by a court this week, while Union Brescia has assumed the city’s footballing mantle. Tonali’s £100m transfer could have generated about £3.5m for Brescia Calcio through Fifa’s solidarity scheme, although reports that the money might help revive the old club now appear unlikely; Tonali and De Zerbi recently discussed Brescia’s difficulties.