Roberto De Zerbi’s Brighton has completed an incredible season where they secured a UEFA Europa League spot with a game to spare after holding Manchester City to a 1-1 draw at Amex.
The Seagulls’ who changed manager after Graham Potter left for Chelsea, brought in Do Zerbi, who has led the team to the UEFA Europa League and only missing the UEFA Champions League by not more than ten points.
Brighton, whose subtle Champions League aim was dashed by the 4-1 loss to Newcastle United, bounced back at the weekend with a 3-1 win over already-relegated Southampton.
Sitting in sixth position before the tie against the champions, Brighten knew that they needed a point to eliminate any threats by 7th place Aston Villa, who may want to sneak into the UEFA Europa League spot on the final day of the season.
Manchester City led through Phil Foden after 25 minutes before Julio Enciso scored a screamer in the 38th minute of the game. Seven minutes prior, Kauro Mitoma had scored, but a handball while getting the ball over the line saw VAR overturn it.
After going into the break level, both teams returned, and the second half was without much goalmouth action, although Erling Haaland missed a couple of chances while Brighton was denied by Ortega, who was in goal for Manchester City.
Norwegian striker Erling Haaland then scored a header 12 minutes from time, but his goal was erased by the VAR as he pulled a Brighton defender before rising to head the ball into the back of the net.
De Zerbi, after the game, gave his view about the game and what to expect for next season.
“It’s a fantastic goal; we achieved an incredible target for Brighton Club, Brighton players, and Brighton coaches. We are very, very happy. Man City is the best team in the world, I think. For us, it was a very tough game. We deserve the point. we deserve the Europa League. I don’t know the future. I don’t know the policy of these players. I think they deserve to play on another level.” He said.
Daniel Ademiju Idowu
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