Roberto De Zerbi is currently one of the most promising managers in Europe. Coming to Brighton from Shakhtar Donetsk, to replace Graham Potter, in September 2022 was an appointment many people were intrigued by. De Zerbi was first noticed from his stint with Sassuolo and gained attraction with his attack minded football. This was evident also at Shakhtar Donetsk and allowed him to showcase his talents at a European level. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine ultimately forced De Zerbi to leave Donetsk and Brighton would be the next destination for the Brescia born manager.
Arriving at the south coast brought a sense of excitement amongst Seagulls fans. Although Potter had succeeded with Brighton, De Zerbi would soon excel with the club. The first glimpse of the De Zerbi revolution came in a 3-3 draw with Liverpool at Anfield. This pulsating game would be a sign of things to come at Brighton and some even believed that after one game, the Seagulls had looked better than they had done under Potter.
However, Brighton would only pick up 1 point from their following 4 league games sparking concern amongst supporters. Belief remained at the Amex, and the club stuck by their head coach after a rollercoaster start. Brighton firmly believed that De Zerbi would be the man to take the Seagulls to new heights and surpass the efforts of Potter. This would be evident in Brighton’s thrashing of Potter’s Chelsea in De Zerbi’s sixth Premier League game. Ironically, this result kick started Brighton’s season, while it was the beginning of a miserable spell for Potter at Chelsea, leading to his sacking in April 2023.
Brighton’s 22/23 season was their best ever. Finishing in sixth place and directly qualifying for Uefa Europa League, while also narrowly losing out to Man United in a penalty shootout in the FA Cup semi-final. The penultimate home game of the season, beating Southampton, to secure European football was one of Brighton’s best moments in recent history. A moment that captured De Zerbi’s influence on this team and how he had transformed this club.
This achievement didn’t go unnoticed. De Zerbi was hot property and highly sought after by clubs in Italy and around Europe last summer. Some even tipping him to take over from Pep Guardiola when he decides to call time on his City career. This never once phased the Brighton boss, and he continued at the south coast. The summer losses of Alexis Mac Allister and Moises Caicedo caused concern amongst fans but the club backed De Zerbi in the transfer market, bringing in signings such as Joao Pedro, Mahmoud Dahoud, Ansu Fati (loan), and the ageless James Milner to boost their squad.
So at the halfway point of the season, where exactly do Brighton and Hove Albion lie? In the Premier League, Brighton currently sit in 7th place, level on points with Man United. They have 8 wins, 7 draws and 5 losses this season, and are 9 points off top four. They finished top of their Europa League group ahead of Marseiile, Ajax and AEK Athens and now wait for their opponents to be drawn in the last 16. They were knocked out of the Carabao Cup by Chelsea in Round 3 and have progressed to round 4 of the FA Cup to face Sheffield United after beating Stoke City 4-2. There is still a long way to go but after a history-making first season, what is success for De Zerbi now at Brighton?
Premier League
Brighton are sitting in 7th place in the table. After 20 league games, the Seagulls will be pleased with their position, and are only 8 points off 5th place. The results have been inconsistent however and only picking up 8 points from a possible 18 in December, leaves De Zerbi and Brighton in a vulnerable position. Although they are only 3 points off West Ham in 6th, there are only 3 points separating 7th and 11th in the table. Wolves, Chelsea, Newcastle and Man United will be eyeing a higher position in the league and Brighton will need to be more consistent with their results to keep up their pursuit of European football for a second season.
With 7 of the next 8 fixtures in the league against teams in the bottom half of the league, Brighton should be aiming for a higher position by March. De Zerbi’s high standards and Brightons attack minded football, why shouldn’t the Seagulls aim for a higher finish than last season? A Champions League place would be challenging but a fifth place finish is well in their grasp and is what De Zerbi should be aiming for in the league this season.
Europa League
It’s been a European dream so far for Brighton. 4 wins, 1 draw and 1 loss in their first taste of European football. Top of the group and awaiting the winners of the round of 32, it doesn’t get much better than that. Can Brighton progress further in the competition? Providing they avoid either Sporting Lisbon, AC Milan or Benfica in the last 16 draw, I would think Brighton have a great chance to progress to the quarter final. Analysing who are left in the competition, De Zerbi will be pleased and can see themselves as outsiders to win the competition. You would have to agree that Liverpool are firm favourites to lift the trophy in Dublin, but they will be hoping to avoid an English side and Xavi Alonso’s high flying Bayer Leverkusen in the run-in. Round of 16 games are scheduled for 7th and 14th of March. Brighton’s fixtures leading up to these games include Everton (home), Fulham (away) and Nottingham Forest (home).
Brighton have a fantastic opportunity to make it through to the quarter final of the Europa League. I believe De Zerbi is eyeing more however. A semi-final place would be a success for Brighton but one only has to cast their mind back to 2010 when Fulham almost completed the fairytale Europa League debut.
FA Cup
With no League Cup opportunity this season, the FA Cup is Brighton’s only chance at domestic silverware this season. With last season’s semi-final defeat still healing amongst Brighton fans, perhaps this season could be their remedy. After a promising 4-2 victory over Stoke City in round 3, a trip to Sheffield United awaits the Seagulls. London will host the ties of the round as Tottenham welcome holders Man City, while Chelsea host title chasing Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge. This will see two of the favourites for the cup knocked out in round 4. Brighton will view this as a great opportunity to claim their first FA Cup and hope to go one step further than they did in 1983.
Roberto De Zerbi has already achieved in his short tenure as Brighton boss. Last season was a dream for supporters and so far this season, it’s been just as enjoyable. The Italian, however, won’t be satisfied with just that. He is a winner and, although he will remain coy, he will see this season as a chance to bring some silverware to the south-coast.