Brighton & Hove Albion

Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi told BBC Radio Sussex's Johnny Cantor: "I think we played a very good game, we played with personality, with courage, we dominated the game. We controlled the game in terms of shots, possession.

"We made two important mistakes for the first two goals. We showed not the right experience to play this game but we are in progress. I am really proud for the performance and the attitude and the passion.

"It’s too easy to be proud when you win in Old Trafford. We have to explain the game, we have to analyse the game. Every day we can learn, the most important is to understand the mistakes but to keep the confidence.

"[It was] the first game in the Europa league for many players and we played very well. We can be not happy because we lost the game, but we have to be honest."

On missing Lewis Dunk's leadership as well as defensive qualities: "For sure, Dunk is not easy playing without him. It was difficult to play without [Evan] Ferguson too but Igor [Julio] played very well. JP [Joao Pedro] played a good game and we have to forget this defeat and to focus on Bournemouth."

On whether Dunk and Ferguson could be fit in time to face Bournemouth: "I think yes, but we will see tomorrow and Saturday better."

Image source, Getty Images

Former Brighton striker Glenn Murray told BBC Radio 5 Live "there are plenty of positives to take" for the Seagulls despite losing 3-2 to AEK Athens in their European debut: "AEK were a very tough test, they burst onto the game, they took the lead. Brighton fought back on a couple of occasions and showed a lot of character and ultimately the goal that has won the game is a real fluke. It’s ricocheted off Jason Steele, back onto the striker and into the back of the net.

"You have to deal with that and Brighton pushed right to the very end. They controlled the game all through the second half and into added time and they deserved something out of the game.

"But there are plenty of positives to take. They will go away from this and it’s about recovering now for the Premier League."

Former Albion midfielder Warren Aspinall told BBC Radio Sussex he was disappointed by what he saw from Roberto De Zerbi's side: "It's not the start Brighton wanted. I thought from the start the passing was off, the two strikers made the same runs and the wide players didn’t do enough in wide areas.

"If I’m really honest it’s what we deserved. We didn’t create many chances and we come away with no points. AEK Athens did a good job on us. We couldn’t break them down and when you’re under pressure you have to think of a different way and we couldn’t tonight. Sometimes you need to play differently.

"All three goals could have been prevented and it was a poor start in the competition. It’s a night to forget."

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Simon Stone, BBC Sport

Just before the teams came out, the stadium announcer called on the Brighton fans to "drink it in".

It is barely 25 years since the club were nearly relegated from the Football League, in the final match ever to be played at their beloved Goldstone Ground.

Where the club has advanced to is remarkable.

Thanks to the vision of owner Tony Bloom, who was watching from the stands, they have a superb stadium, a state-of-the-art training ground and one of the most attractive and progressive teams in the Premier League.

Now they have Europe, with the mouth-watering visit of former Champions League winners Ajax to come next month and Marseille to follow in December.

Chief executive Paul Barber is fond of saying Brighton are looking forward, not back but, despite the disappointment of defeat on the night, if ever there was a night for nostalgia, this was it.

Images of the past were played across the stadium - more, it felt, as a thank you to the fans who stood with the club in those dark days and are now getting their reward.

• Brighton are the first debutant English side in major European competition to lose their opening game since Blackburn Rovers in 1994-95, with the last six before the Seagulls all avoiding defeat (W4 D2).

• Albion have scored each of their last 11 penalty kicks in all competitions (excluding shootouts), with the joint-longest run of any Premier League side, level with Newcastle.

• James Milner is just the second Englishman to appear for five different clubs in major European competition after Jonathan Woodgate (Leeds, Newcastle, Real Madrid, Spurs, Stoke) while he is the outright first player to do so for five different English teams.

• The Seagulls have shipped three goals in two of their last three home games in all competitions, after doing do just twice in their previous 14 at the Amex.

• Joao Pedro is the first Brighton player to net two penalties in a game in all competitions since Jake Forster-Caskey against Swindon in the League Cup in August 2014.

• Brighton are without a clean sheet in their last 10 games in all competitions (since a 3-0 win away at Arsenal on May 11th) after registering seven shutouts in the 12 fixtures before that.

Brighton's eagerly awaited European bow fell flat as Greek heavyweights AEK Athens stunned Roberto de Zerbi's men with a 3-2 Europa League group stage victory.

The Seagulls twice pegged AEK back after Djibril Sidibe and Mijat Gacinovic had taken advantage of Lewis Dunk's absence through injury to score from first-half set pieces.

But, even with 13 minutes' injury-time, Brighton had no answer after substitute Ezequiel Ponce converted a third after 84 minutes.

Niclas Eliasson was given too much time to cross after Tariq Lamptey had slipped as AEK launched a speedy counter-attack, Ponce applying the finish.

It meant Joao Pedro's unique double ended up counting for nothing.

Evidently, it is not unusual for the video assistant referee to intervene to award penalties. Remarkably, this time it happened twice, on both occasions after the former Watford forward had gone down - he was booked for diving the first time.

Brighton's £30 million record signing took both penalties, twice sending the goalkeeper the wrong way.

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• This is Brighton's first game in Europe. They are the first debutant English team in major European competition since Wigan Athletic in 2013-14, with none of the past six losing their first game.

• AEK Athens have won just one of their past 19 matches in major European competition (D7 L11), and have lost 10 of their past 11.

• Brighton’s James Milner has made 116 appearances in major European competition with Newcastle United, Aston Villa, Manchester City and Liverpool. It’s the fifth most of any Englishman in history, behind Jamie Carragher (130), Paul Scholes (128), Frank Lampard (122) and John Terry (121).

• Albion boss Roberto De Zerbi has managed in major European competition before, but is yet win to win, having drew two and lost four of six Champions League group games with Shakhtar Donetsk in 2021-22.

Image source, Getty Images

Brighton fan Phillipa Hudson says it will be a "dream come true" to watch her club compete in European competition for the first time in their 122-year history.

Albion open their Europa League campaign at home to AEK Athens on Thursday night, 26 years on from being on the brink of relegation out of the Football League and financial ruin.

"I really cannot process the fact we're playing in Europe tonight when you think of where we came from, she told BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast.

"Really really amazing. It's just a dream come true quite honestly.

"(Roberto De Zerbi is) a genius, absolute genius. Graham Potter did a fantastic job, he got us playing a really good, procession based style of football and kept us in the Premier League whilst doing it and then became a top ten club in three years.

"De Zerbi came in with no-pre season, none of his own players, and took us to the next level in six months. He's a genius.

"There was a transition period but now he's taken us from what was a good playing style, nice to watch, to an incredible style with end product - or as we like to call it 'Potterball on steroids'."

Listen to the full discussion on BBC Breakfast from 2:56:00

Simon Stone, BBC Sport

It is fair to assume a number of old-time Brighton fans will be doing a double take when they enter Amex Stadium on Thursday.

Twenty years ago, if someone had said the club would now be on the verge of their first European game, they would have been dismissed as foolish.

To those fans who lived through the Goldstone Ground closing, two years at Gillingham and the Withdean era, a meeting with AEK Athens is an event night.

It is also fair to think Roberto De Zerbi is not getting wrapped up in the emotion.

A group that also contains Ajax and Marseille is tough.

However, given the overall strength of the Premier League - and how well Brighton are doing in it - they have the capability to go deep in the competition. Very deep.

The visit of AEK is a reminder - but it is also a huge opportunity. De Zerbi will be keen to take it.

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Image source, Reuters

Brighton's first Premier League signing Pascal Gross says he never expected Albion to qualify for Europe.

The newly capped Germany international joined Albion upon promotion in 2017 and is thrilled to be embarking upon a Europa League campaign with the club.

"When I came here, I never thought that we could go this far," he said. "It is incredible the way we have grown, especially in the last year. Our development has been very good but we want to keep going, to keep pushing.

"We have a good team, a good manager, a good idea of how we want to play and we know where we want to go. We are very confident and want to win."

Gross also reserved special praise for boss Roberto de Zerbi for his role in transforming the Seagulls.

"I speak for everyone when I say we are really happy to work with him," Gross said. "Every player has improved, and we have improved as a team.

"He has made us believe we can achieve something big. And we're still hungry - every player, the manager, the whole staff. That's the secret."

Joe Bradshaw, BBC Sport

Roberto de Zerbi has been speaking to the media before Brighton's first Europa League game against AEK Athens on Thursday.

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Both Evan Ferguson and Ansu Fati are available to play.

• De Zerbi is not getting over-excited, despite Albion capping their impressive start to the season with victory at Manchester United: "The game in Manchester is finished and we have to only think of the next game against Athens, and then Bournemouth. We need to keep the result, to keep the good emotions but forget the other things."

• On Albion's busier fixture schedule: "I will repeat what I said to the players on Sunday morning. The challenge this year is to forget the game played the day before and focus only on the next game."

• He would not be drawn on how he thought the match with AEK Athens would go: "I am Italian and you know that Italian coaches do not speak about predictions."

• Brighton's inaugural European campaign is another step in their development: "We are not a big, big team yet but we are a good team. We know our level but we have the ambition to become better and better, step by step."

• Nevertheless, he knows they have the ability to do well in this competition: "We believe in ourselves, we believe in the quality of the players, the level of the club and the quality of the play."

• With that in mind, he intends his side to continue in their way of playing: "We will be keeping our style and our attitude because we want to win. We want to follow and play in the same way. The Europa League can give us an upgrade but we cannot forget we are Brighton. We cannot lose our DNA because if we think, 'We are better' then we will make a big mistake."

• On AEK Athens: "They are a good team, aggressive with and without the ball. It will be a very tough game and our group is one of the strongest. But I think that's better for us because if you want to win something, you have to compete against the biggest teams."

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In the latest episode of Albion Unlimited, BBC Radio Sussex's Jonny Cantor praises defender Tariq Lamptey after his commendable performance against Manchester United.

He said: "I thought he was excellent. Lamptey has this explosive pace and we sometimes worry about his quality of crossing but he does drive up the pitch and he did that so well against United.

"He was exceptional when it came to driving up that left-hand side, the stats show 54 touches, three tackles and two assists, that's not bad for a left-back.

"It was interesting that he was selected over Igor, who was mentioned in the press conference.

"You couldn't get a more down to earth, hardworking guy. There's not one person connected to the Albion who isn't delighted to see him back. He can provide different options right and left, a great string to De Zerbi's bow."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

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In the latest episode of Albion Unlimited, Brighton midfielder Billy Gilmour shares his feelings ahead of the club's momentous Europa League debut.

The 22-year-old said: "We're all really excited and can't wait to get going, it will be such a new experience for everyone at Brighton. This is a good test for us, we play against top teams in the Premier League every week, but Europa is a different competition and environment, we have to be ready for what may come.

"It's different to the Premier League because you don't know much about the other teams. You may watch some clubs but it's important to get as much analysis as you can on them to get the best advantage.

"It's tricky to go abroad and get results, the fans play a massive part in that but our fans are brilliant and travel everywhere with us.

"We know we can't play every game as it's a long season, but every competition is starting soon. We have to stick together and when injuries happen people need to step up and fill in.

"We want to go up against these teams and win. We're good enough and we've shown that in the Premier League."

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Former Brighton midfielder Warren Aspinall joined BBC Radio Sussex's Jonny Cantor to preview the club's Europa League debut against AEK Athens in the latest Albion Unlimited podcast.

Aspinall said: "It's a team we should be beating, sitting at sixth in their league after three games. They've won one and drew two so they are unbeaten.

"We know they like to play aggressive and get forward and that will suit Brighton as they're not going to sit in, we'll let them express themselves and then we can hit them.

"I'm not bothered about the teams we face, it's about what we do. I can only see one result, they've been in Europe for quite a lot of years but it's down to what we do. We're a better side and I'm looking for a comfortable win on Thursday night."

Cantor added: "I think Albion need to be patient. When I watch European football I sometimes feel that you have to take your time.

"AEK Athens are missing a few players - two strikers and a centre-back is a big blow - but we can't take anything for granted.

"If they're on their game, and given the occasion and the crowd I think they will be, then I think Brighton will be fine."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Boca Juniors are hopeful of agreeing a new contract with Argentine defender Valentin Barco, 19, despite interest from Brighton. (90min), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Wednesday's full gossip column

Scott McCarthy, We Are Brighton, external

My partner is a secondary school teacher. When she relays some of the excuses her students have come up with, I am always impressed by their creativity. Long gone are the days of "the dog ate my homework".

And after what he said to explain Manchester United being comprehensively beaten by Brighton at Old Trafford, Erik ten Hag could do a lot worse than speak to the youth of today about how to make a good excuse.

No United manager should be playing the money card when the current Red Devils squad needed over £900m to assemble – let alone against the Albion, with a starting XI costing under £17m.

Or to put it another way, less than a quarter of what United forked out for forward Rasmus Hojlund alone.

The uncomfortable truth for Ten Hag is that he and United have spent money. They are just not very good at it.

As the Albion continue to not so much crack the glass ceiling to the top six but take a sledgehammer to it, the big clubs are going to become even more desperate in their explanations as to how they are being outperformed by little old Brighton.

But the real reasons are simple.

The Seagulls have a clear plan when it comes to recruitment. They have a world-class coach who helps his players perform to the peak of their ability week in, week out. And the culture and environment at the Amex is such that individuals thrive.

You only have to look at how Graham Potter and Marc Cucurella went from hot property to laughing stocks after swapping Brighton for Chelsea to see that.

Not much of the beautiful story being written down in Sussex is to do with money. For Ten Hag to suggest so shows how rattled he is by Brighton and how far the once-mighty Manchester United have fallen. Back to excuse making school for you, Erik.

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French football expert Jeremy Smith has been discussing Brighton's Europa League group opponents Marseille on the Albion Unlimited podcast: "The problem with all French teams, apart from Paris St-Germain, is that because they are very much a selling league, it's very hard to get consistency. Generally, if a team does well they sell all of their best young players during that summer.

"Marseille are worse than others. They don't give themselves a chance because they're always one step away from some kind of internal crisis, whether it's on the pitch or off it.

"Last year, they did very well with Igor Tudor as coach, but it was quite rugged and defensive, hitting teams on the break - really intense physically and mentally.

"A lot of people were exhausted afterwards and I think he was too - and I think that's one of the reasons behind him quitting at the end of the season, even though they qualified for Europe.

"So it's yet another change for them, which isn't ideal. They've got Marcelino, who has done very well in Spain, and I think the hope is that their football will be more interesting than last year.

"They're unbeaten, with two wins and three draws - but they've been really unimpressive. Maybe they've been a bit distracted with Europe."

Listen to the full podcast here

"You are actually seeing one of these big clubs looking at a player on Brighton's radar."

Are other teams eyeing the Seagulls' transfer dealings with envy and attempting to copy their moves? It's a debate on Football Gossip Daily as links for Brighton and Manchester City emerge with 19-year-old defender Valentin Barco of Boca Juniors.

Join comedian Maisie Adam and The Athletic’s Mark Critchley on the latest episode here

After Brighton ended Manchester United's undefeated run of games at Old Trafford with a comprehensive 3-1 win on Saturday, former Liverpool and Fulham midfielder Danny Murphy was full of praise for performances under Roberto de Zerbi.

"We're not getting surprised anymore, it was a brilliant and brave performance," Murphy said on Match of the Day.

"Brighton found a solution [to Manchester United's tactics] and they found it quickly. This is an intelligent team, it doesn't matter who they play.

"It became easy for Brighton, just to dictate possession and control proceedings. Brighton do this really well, they're not always short passes, if there is space in behind they have got willing runners, they've got pace, they've got threats all over the pitch. It was a really composed performance.

"The stats are just unbelievable since De Zerbi has taken over. You can see for yourself, the goals scored [they're] third, first in shots, first in shots on target, expected goals is second and possession is second behind Manchester City as you would expect. But, what a brilliant job he has done."

You can watch all the highlights and analysis on BBC iPlayer

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