Brighton manager, Roberto De Zerbi is anticpating “a very tough game” against Newcastle United in the battle for Champions League qualifcation.
De Zerbi’s Seagulls head to Newcastle tonight (18 May) as they commence a pivotal run-in of four games in 10 days to conclude this season, knowing that if they win all four matches then Champions League qualification could potentially be secured depending upon results elsewhere.
Brighton though know that at least two wins would guarantee Europa League qualification at minimum, which the Italian believes is important because his team “can decide our own destiny and future.”
De Zerbi however has iterated that the task will be tough, as he commented: “It’s not so easy because we have to win two games and we will play against three big teams, Newcastle, Manchester City and Aston Villa, and we will play against Southampton, which I think will be the most difficult game.”
Looking ahead to the trip to Tyneside, De Zerbi acknowledged Eddie Howe’s success in turning Newcastle into top-four challengers in the space of just over 18 months, as he applauded the ex Bournemouth manager for “doing an incredible job” at the club.
Should Brighton miss out on Champions League qualification, De Zerbi added that Newcastle would “deserve to play in the Champions League”, having proven that “they are a very strong team.”
De Zerbi though expects a difficult test at St James’ Park, as he continued: “I think it’s a very tough game but not just for Brighton but for every team. But we are fighting for our history and target and if we want to reach it we have to make historic results.
“To reach an incredible target, you have to win incredible games.
“For me it’s an honour to play in their stadium. I’m looking forward to playing because the passion of their fans is some of the best of football, but for sure we play to win.
“Can we repeat Arsenal? Yes, it’s our target, to play another big game in the same way we played at Arsenal. The big teams play in the same way after three, four, seven days. We have to be ready to forget the last game and start with a clear head.”
With a top-four finish looking unlikely, De Zerbi iterated that his players need to display an accepting mentality of “playing high-intensity games”, especially given that they’re playing three of those games in six days if want to successfully push for a top-four finish.
De Zerbi therefore hawked back to how his Seagulls responded to their shock home loss against Everton with a clinical win at Arsenal, as he added: “The best part of the Arsenal result was the reaction they gave to the Everton game.
“Sometimes in football you can have a terrible day, but you have to be ready to react and to show your mentality and we need to do that again against Newcastle.”
Amidst an injury crisis with players like Adam Webster, Adam Lallana and Solly March absent, De Zerbi has continued to make bold mid-game tactical games like substituting Billy Gilmour in midfield during their win at Arsenal for ex Gunner – Danny Welbeck.
Explaining that tactical risk, De Zerbi commented: “I thought at that moment it was important for us to play with Alexis [Mac Allister] in the midfield position. We needed one more to defend, and to play with two strikers to keep the ball. Alexis, when the game is becoming tougher, is top.”
Leave a Reply