Italian sports papers partially defended Roberto De Zerbi after Brighton’s 4-0 loss against Roma on Thursday, saying the Seagulls created at least three goal-scoring opportunities even if their defensive performance was ‘a disaster.’
All Italian sports papers, Gazzetta, Corriere dello Sport and Tuttosport, rated De Zerbi 5/10 after Roma’s 4-0 win over his Brighton side on Thursday night in the first leg of the Europa League Round of 16.
La Gazzetta dello Sport journalist G.B. Olivero wrote that the defeat was too heavy considering that De Zerbi’s team created ‘at least’ three big chances to score. The pink paper noted that goals conceded by Brighton were caused by ‘individual errors’, but De Zerbi could not avoid ‘unbalancing’ the team in the second half.
Il Corriere dello Sport was harsher on the ex-Sassuolo boss, saying that his Brighton side was too slow and unbalanced. The Rome-based paper said Brighton’s defence was ‘a disaster’ while attackers were ‘inaccurate.’
Lastly, Tuttosport wrote on page 18 that De Zerbi was dealing with a few injuries in Rome but got the game preparation wrong.