Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler has distanced himself from talks of securing European soccer forward of the midweek Premier League motion.
The Seagulls are climbing the desk after selecting up a formidable win towards Southampton on Saturday and now sit simply three factors towards sixth-placed Bournemouth, who they face on Tuesday.
However the German refused to invest on whether or not his aspect may return to Europe with a formidable run to the top of the season.
Talking forward of the sport, he stated: “Once you win video games, there may be all the time a superb ambiance. We’re grateful it’s like this but it surely’s exhausting work. We have to maintain the momentum and perceive why we’ve got this momentum.
“I by no means look an excessive amount of on the desk. You may solely affect the way you play. On the finish of the season, you’ll be able to have a look at the desk. However in the meanwhile, it’s sport by sport and making an attempt to get the perfect efficiency out of the gamers.
“The important thing factor at this membership is creating younger gamers and the group. We had a whole lot of new signings after we began. Now it’s about having inner objectives on the place we need to go. We are going to see what occurs on the finish of the season, but it surely’s too early to speak about reaching Europe. We’ve to attend for the suitable second to speak about it.”
Our boss. 💛💙 pic.twitter.com/8JubGwsV9o
— Brighton & Hove Albion (@OfficialBHAFC) February 23, 2025
Cherries on the town
Brighton have an enormous alternative to attract degree on factors with their European rivals when Bournemouth go to the Amex.
The Seagulls have a worse aim distinction to their opponents, which means a win couldn’t elevate them into sixth relying on different outcomes however it might put them proper within the combine.
However Andoni Iraola’s aspect have been one of many surprises of the season in 2024-25 and on their day can match any Premier League membership.
Hurzeler is conscious of this and admits it’s tough to know what to anticipate from them.
He added: “It’s tough to create a match plan towards Bournemouth but it surely’s tough to try this for any of the golf equipment within the league. Bournemouth are very clear within the model they play.
“They’re very intense. It is going to be a problem for us to compete towards them and we have to be mentally and bodily on the very best degree to be prepared for them.
“However we will do it as a result of we’ve got proved it within the final weeks. We’ve to maintain the requirements and to enhance to be prepared for the problem towards Bournemouth.
“Dango Ouattara, Antoine Semenyo and Justin Kluivert are all very quick and athletic. They’re all excellent in transitions. However we have to attempt to keep away from these transition moments.”
This duo. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/aoS8kYQiEc
— Brighton & Hove Albion (@OfficialBHAFC) February 22, 2025
Pedro energy
If Brighton are to win, they might want to depend on the standard of Joao Pedro, who’s lastly coming again into type.
The Brazilian netted the opener towards Southampton and can doubtless get the nod to begin once more in such an essential match.
Hurzeler stated of his striker: “Joao is a participant who all the time has the self-confidence. He is aware of he can resolve the sport with one motion. He not solely has that considering, but additionally the standard and expertise to do it as he has confirmed final week.
“It’s extra essential for me how he behaves as a crew participant and he proved final week he was all the time there for his team-mates. It confirmed me he’s actually dedicated to this membership and needs to be the crew participant that everybody desires him to be.
“I’m very pleased that he has come again on the pitch and deserves what he will get due to his behaviour, his angle in coaching and naturally, his high quality.”