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‘This was my best game in Brighton’: Roberto De Zerbi cheers on his stars after coming from behind to win 3-2 at Wolves…
- Roberto De Zerbi lets Brighton play all his style of football
- The Italian coach has emphasized the importance of positional fluidity
- With the club currently in fourth place, Europe is an increasingly real possibility
When Roberto De Zerbi trudged up to the end with both arms, one thought of a scene in Gladiator. “Are you not having a good time?” cries Maximus Decimus Meridius, as he surveys a colosseum full of spectators in awe of his talents.
And just like in Gladiator, the crowd chanted his name as if he were an emperor. All the away fans — and thousands more at home — are now followers of ‘The Zerbismo’, as they call it in Italy. Brighton fought in style past a stubborn Wolves.
The team passes the ball as if it were a hot potato – no player takes more than two touches – and each move is progressive and fast, building up in a 4-2-4 form.
Roberto De Zerbi has formed his team in Brighton with his passing philosophy at the core
The Zebri praised Adam Lallana’s impact, saying the former Liverpool star would one day be a ‘very good coach’
“This was my best game in Brighton in terms of quality of play,” said De Zerbi.
It took Brighton players about a month to get used to his philosophy, but now De Zerbismo is wreaking havoc.
Brighton’s game is all about fluidity and transitions. Leandro Trossard was the number 9 on the team sheet, but popped up all over the field, while Adam Lallana made late runs from deep, but was often the most advanced attacker.
The Zerbi describes Lallana as a coach on the pitch, who can teach the game to those around him, such as Japanese winger Kaoru Mitoma, who scored one and sent Nelson Semedo off the field.
“Lallana is going to be a very good coach,” said De Zerbi. “But I hope not yet!”
The former Liverpool player’s confident finish opened the scoring before assisting Mitoma in his first goal in English football. Mitoma, 25, sums up Brighton’s slick recruiting model.
Youth product Lewis Dunk embodies the club’s warrior spirit with his fearless defense
Last year he was loaned to Union Saint-Gilloise, the Belgian club co-owned by Tony Bloom, Brighton’s supremo.
All of this is underlined by Lewis Dunk, who has been with the club since he was 12. It’s ridiculous that Dunk only has one cap for England. He is a warrior-like defender who puts his body on the line, but is also tenfold with his feet.
So given all the positivity, how about European football, Roberto? “We will certainly try,” said the charismatic Italian.