The draw for the group stage was made recently, with AEK Athens, Marseille and Ajax have been placed alongside Brighton.
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It has been nothing short of a fairytale ride for Brighton & Hove Albion supporters lately. The club had an incredible season last time around, which ended with them securing European football. Not many would have backed Brighton to do what they did, as they finished sixth in the Premier League table last campaign. It has allowed the club to secure Europa League football for the current season.
The draw for the group stage was made recently, with AEK Athens, Marseille and Ajax have been placed alongside Brighton. Marseille and Ajax have been regular in Europe, with both teams also having experience of playing in the Champions League. Hence, it is not going to be easy for the Premier League outfit. However, if Brighton continue to play with a positive mindset and keep producing the attractive brand of football like they did under Roberto De Zerbi then they will back themselves against any opponent.
Speaking about the draw, captain Lewis Dunk, quoted by the club’s website, said, “We came in from training and watched it in the changing room. It’s a good draw: three challenging games which we are looking forward to, and we can win, because we’ve shown in the Premier League we can beat anyone. So we’ll go into Europe with confidence high. The gaffer always demands that we show what we’re about. I know we’ve never been there as a football club. But we’ll go in there holding our heads high, to win games.”
Brighton have made a couple of exciting additions in the recent transfer window. The two that stood out was Ansu Fati on loan from Barcelona and Carlos Baleba from Lille. Referring to the new signings, Dunk said, “We’ve shown over the years that we recruit well. They’ll be a massive boost to the squad. They’re two big talents who will bring a lot to this football club. They’re going to have to be open-minded and learn off the gaffer like we’ve all done. If they do that they’ll fit in perfectly.”
It is not something many of the club’s supporters would have seen it coming. It was only in recent past, Brighton established itself as a regular in the Premier League. Prior to that, the club was languishing in lower divisions. To climb from there to signing talented young prospects and playing in Europe must be something special for their supporters. “Bit mad, eh?. It’s like Europe as well, it’s a bit surreal for Brighton and Brighton fans. Signing players like that is a credit to the club. It’s taken a lot of hard work, from top to bottom of the football club. Everyone’s been a part of the journey, and everyone’s enjoying the ride,” he explained.
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