by The days of excitement, gifts and good family time have arrived. They say that Christmas is a time of happiness and miracles, and something similar to a feat that is difficult to explain is what Roberto De Zerbi’s Brighton has achieved. Six years ago they were in the Second Division, and in their historic first participation in the Europa League they have been crowned group champions.
Ansu Fati, who wanted to leave FC Barcelona in the summer in search of minutes, chose the Brighton project not only as a matter of faith, because he was very aware of where he was falling. A perfect context for the growth of young talents eager to take on the world and an orchestra conductor who turns everything he touches into gold. Until the moment of his tragic injury, he had begun to ‘soak’ himself in a new football. and it was growing with the passing of the days. Now he has to watch from the sidelines how his teammates succeed for him.
A ‘MIRACLE’ THAT SHOULD HAPPEN
And the truth is that in Brighton now they have to celebrate in a big way. On the last day of the Europa League group stage, Roberto De Zerbi’s team sold their qualification to the first knockout round in the best possible way: as champion of their group (with Ajax, Marseille and AEK Athens as rivals), and all in their first historic participation in the competition. Almost nothing.
Sooner or later, the ‘Seagulls’ had to reach heights like the ones they are at today. In a narrow victory with a goal from Joao Pedro against Marseille in the 88th minute, the atmosphere at the Amex Stadium was deafening. The party was lived in style, with the players celebrating with the fans and a crazed Roberto De Zerbi (in the good sense of the word) with the stands and their ‘parish’. How not to celebrate a feat of such caliber.
After a ‘low’ in the Premier with only two victories in the last five games and occupying 8th position, four points behind Europe, Brighton have found their escape route in this edition of the Europa League. Next Monday, December 18, they will find out their opponent in the round of 16 in the draw held in Switzerland starting at 1:00 p.m. Ansu, who was injured on November 25 against Nottingham Forest, could be out for about three months. Barring a surprise, it will be difficult to participate in the final round of the competition.
Sea as sea, Brighton will want to give you the best gift. West Ham United, which last season also played in the Conference League for the first time in its history, ended up emerging champions in Prague. In Brighton they dream of a similar ending to a European adventure that has only just begun. All ‘Seagulls’ fans will have asked Santa Claus and the Three Wise Men to travel with their team on May 22 in Athens.
