Placed sixth in the table, Brighton are on the verge of securing Europa League football for next campaign.
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Brighton have been one of the surprise packages of the current Premier League season. They have exceeded expectations massively under Roberto De Zerbi this time around. He has transferred Brighton into one of the most exciting clubs in the division. Their football is very attractive on the eye, as they are good with and without the ball. Brighton can not only play attractive football but can also turn it into results, which has seen them secure European football for next season.
Placed sixth in the table, Brighton are on the verge of securing Europa League football for next campaign. Roberto De Zerbi explains why he wants Europa League over Conference League. “The focus is to play seriously. We want to play in the Europa League and we have to get another point. We have to think to win the game and play seriously with our quality, with our mentality. Two games left and we have a big, big, big target, bigger than [reaching] the Conference League. We respect the Conference League but if we have the possibility to play in a more prestigious competition we have to try and take it,” he was quoted as saying by their club’s website.
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Roberto De Zerbi then went on to heap praise on Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola and what he has achieved in the Premier League. “I can’t forget that when I arrived here I received his phone call, and he helped me a lot in the first period here. He was very nice with me. My opinion is that he is the best coach in the Premier League and the best coach in the past 30 years. It’s my opinion but I think a lot of people think like me,” he added.
Asked whether Man City have any weaknesses, he responded, “In football, you can always play better, but you can still lose the game. We will play with our style and mentality, but if Manchester City play to their best ability, it will be very hard. Not just for Brighton, but for Real Madrid, for Arsenal. It will be an honour for us to give our congratulations [and a guard of honour].”
Roberto De Zerbi also spoke about how difficult it will be to manage a busier schedule for next season with European football also coming into the mix. “We are getting used to playing so many games. This month we played seven, today will be the sixth and then the seventh in Aston Villa. So, 14 games in two months for Brighton is very tough. To be ready to play a fourth competition we must build a squad of 23 and 24 players, excluding goalkeepers, then we will see the quality of the squad, but the number of the players is crucial. When I say I want to compete, I want to try to win in every competition. We have to be ready to play I don’t know how many games,” he stated.
