Roberto De Zerbi saw ‘many Robertos on the field’ against Roma in the Europa League tonight, hailing Brighton for ‘values that go beyond sport.’
The Giallorossi already had a 4-0 first leg lead to rely on and were able to rotate the squad, also missing injured Romelu Lukaku, Chris Smalling, Renato Sanches and Tammy Abraham.
They had taken the lead with a Sardar Azmoun goal that was controversially disallowed for dangerous play, then Danny Welbeck curled into the far top corner from distance.
Brighton took the victory on the night, but it is Roma who go through to the Europa League quarter-finals.
“I am satisfied to have seen a team with pride, but I knew that already,” De Zerbi said in Italian in his press conference.
“Don’t forget what I said after the 4-0 at the Olimpico, which was a very heavy defeat, but after that day I loved my players even more. I know them, I know they are special people, because along with the tactical and physical aspects, they bring pride and values that go beyond sport and football.
“They were profoundly wounded by the result in Rome. We achieved this unexpected level with great sacrifice, so they wanted to play this game. I saw many Robertos on the field, as I too suffered with last week’s defeat.
“However, Brighton had absolutely nothing to prove, because this is Brighton. This has always been Brighton.”
De Zerbi managed to bring Brighton and Hove Albion into their first ever European competition, reaching the Round of 16 of the Europa League.
It inevitably had a knock-on effect for their Premier League form and the coach said that the lack of experience was telling in the 4-0 defeat at the Stadio Olimpico.
At least they got some pride back with this 1-0 win, only the second defeat of Daniele De Rossi’s Roma coaching career after Inter.
Brighton lead Roma at half-time through a sublime finish from Danny Welbeck! 🚀 pic.twitter.com/jHKLYmKbrf
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) March 14, 2024