The 2023/24 season has been a history-making marketing campaign for Brighton. Their first foray into Europe – and their first time reaching the knockout rounds – in addition to persevering with to compete within the Premier League.
However the Seagulls additionally high the desk in additional obscure phrases. They’ve already made 70 adjustments to their Premier League beginning XIs this 12 months – 26 greater than the following highest crew, Nottingham Forest – as they adapt to the ‘three video games every week’ schedule that comes with Europa League soccer.
So as to add some extra context, Brighton solely made 79 beginning XI adjustments within the entirety of final season, in addition to utilizing probably the most Premier League substitutes this marketing campaign too (81).
It has not at all times been an strategy welcomed by Seagulls followers, however De Zerbi defined why he has used such heavy rotation and, in his view, why it’s working.
“I do not love altering too many gamers each recreation, however I need to do it,” he stated forward of Thursday’s recreation with Crystal Palace, dwell on Sky Sports activities.
“I can not do one thing totally different, or there’s a danger to lose different gamers. Now now we have 15 gamers who’re in a position to play and I believe we’re doing an excellent job as a result of we attain the highest of the desk within the Europa League in a really powerful group.
“We’re in an excellent place within the desk within the Premier League, particularly should you suppose we misplaced six factors at dwelling taking part in very properly, however conceding silly objectives and never scoring the correct objectives. However I believe we’re doing one thing essential.”
One place that has seen 11 adjustments already this season is between goalkeepers Jason Steele and Bart Verbruggen.
Neither have began greater than two Premier League video games in a row this time period, however are the 2 greatest goalkeepers within the league for passing accuracy, highlighting their significance to De Zerbi’s play.
However Brighton have additionally didn’t preserve a clear sheet in 21 league video games, though apparently, did preserve 4 of their six Europa League fixtures.
Discussing the rotation of his goalkeepers, De Zerbi stated: “I am fortunate as a result of I’ve two goalkeepers who’re nice. I do not need to lose anybody and Brighton need to preserve each within the plan.
“It is my duty and resolution when one in every of them has to play and when the opposite would not.
“Within the final switch market, we bought [Moises] Caicedo, [Alexis] Mac Alliser and [Levi] Colwill was on mortgage, however he performed a whole lot of us final 12 months.
“We misplaced three essential, essential gamers and one a part of my work is to assist the younger gamers to change into higher as a result of the coverage of Brighton is like this. If I settle for working right here, I’ve to handle in that course.”
The Premier League report for many adjustments to a beginning goalkeeper in a full season is 14 by Manchester United in 2000/2001.
It’s this strategy to youth that has been important as Brighton grapple with accidents to a variety of key gamers, additionally including to the necessity for rotation. The listing for Thursday’s match at Crystal Palace consists of Adam Webster, Tariq Lamptey, Solly March and Pervis Estupinan amongst others.
However De Zerbi is utilizing the chance to blood some new expertise – together with 21-year-old Verbruggen. In 2023, 4 youngsters have additionally scored Premier League objectives for Brighton in 2023 – Evan Ferguson, Julio Enciso, Facundo Buonanotte and Jack Hinshelwood – which is joint-most by a Premier League crew in a calendar 12 months together with Everton in 1997.
Brighton’s harm listing
Participant
Harm
Tariq Lamptey
Thigh
Adam Webster
Knock
Pervis Estupinan
Hamstring
Julio Enciso
Knee
Joel Veltman
Knee
Ansu Fati
Thigh
Solly March
Knee
“To start with, now we have eight accidents with essential gamers after which we’re taking part in three video games per week and we’re not used to taking part in so many video games,” De Zerbi defined.
“So now we have to show the issues into alternatives. We’re fortunate as a result of now we have an excellent academy and one a part of our work to allow the younger gamers to change into higher at taking part in.
“I search for persona, initially. Then the standard to be a participant within the Premier League – bodily, technically, mentally, the whole lot that essential to play in Premier League. In any other case it is powerful.”
De Zerbi on Arsenal loss: Gunners should win PL this season
“It was a special defeat for us as a result of we often play in numerous approach, however Arsenal had been stronger than us. They deserved to win, we will discover rather a lot causes, however it’s not our behavior.
“Our behaviour is to arrange for the following recreation higher than the final and to attempt to play higher. However now we have to recognise Arsenal are one of the best crew within the Premier League.
“I believe this season they should win the Premier League as a result of they introduced nice gamers within the final three switch markets they usually spent some huge cash.
“We are able to’t neglect that we’re Brighton, our historical past, our targets are completely totally different than Arsenal.”
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FREE TO WATCH: Highlights from the Premier League match between Arsenal and Brighton
Thursday marks De Zerbi’s fiftieth Premier League recreation in control of Brighton. You’ll be forgiven for considering the Italian had been in England for a lot longer than his 15 months, such has been his impression.
De Zerbi factors to latest Europa League successes as a few of his highlights, reflecting: “I’m spending a whole lot of nice moments [here]. Two of them are once we certified for the Europa League final season towards Southampton at dwelling and the second was Thursday with Marseille at dwelling [Brighton won 1-0 late on to reach the last-16].
“It has been an excellent expertise working within the Premier League too. It is one of the best league on the earth and it is an honour and a dream for me to compete towards the likes of [Pep] Guardiola, [Jurgen] Klopp, [Mauricio] Pochettino, [Ange] Postecoglu, [Unai] Emery, a whole lot of large coaches and I’ve to present my greatest each day.
“I really feel the duty to maintain my seat [as manager] so we preserve going, we preserve working with the identical angle, the identical ardour and the identical behaviour.”
Picture:
Joao Pedro sealed a Europa League final 16 spot for Brighton with a late objective towards Marseille on Thursday
Out of these 49 video games, De Zerbi is unbeaten in Brighton’s grudge derby towards Crystal Palace, drawing one and successful one other earlier this 12 months. The Eagles too shall be buoyed by their beautiful 2-2 draw towards Manchester Metropolis on Saturday.
“Will probably be one of many hardest video games of the season, however we’re wanting ahead to taking part in and making our followers pleased,” he stated of the sport, dwell on Sky Sports activities.
“Will probably be a really bodily recreation and Crystal Palace have nice gamers, like [Eberechi] Eze, [Michael] Olise, [Marc] Guehi, [Cheick] Doucoure. However now we have to be targeted on ourselves, our play, our type and the end result as a result of we’re shedding too many factors and now we have to attempt to react.
Thursday twenty first December 7:30pm
Kick off 8:00pm
“Earlier than I got here right here, I did not know the significance of this recreation. However I’m from Brescia and the derby there’s towards Atalanta so I can perceive the followers, what they will really feel in today earlier than the sport.”
It will be an early Christmas current if Brighton can win a second successive recreation towards Crystal Palace, and with 2024 quick approaching, De Zerbi has only one New Yr’s want.
“I want to get better the injured gamers,” he stated. “Perhaps not all of the accidents, however 80 per cent can be essential for us as a result of if we need to attain the outcomes, you want the standard of the gamers.
“So the whole squad after which to take pleasure in, taking part in with pleasure, with braveness, with our qualities.”
Till his harm listing eases – and with the Europa League final 16 coming in March – De Zerbi’s rotation is prone to proceed. However he has already confirmed what might be achieved with an excellent coach, gifted children and loads of coronary heart.
Watch Crystal Palace vs Brighton dwell on Sky Sports activities Premier League and Important Occasion from 7pm on Thursday; kick-off 8pm.