After being sent off in the 83rd minute of the Nottingham Forest game last weekend, this is the first time we’ve heard from Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler. Here’s all the key moments from his press conference earlier today before the Albion face Chelsea.
Hurzeler discusses the Forest match where Brighton remained unbeaten but missed the opportunity to win the match, stressing the importance of perspective.
He said: “Yes, we didn’t take all our chances, but staying unbeaten is a big positive. It’s about perspective. We know we didn’t get the results we wanted, but the key is to stay calm and keep our focus. The team has shown strong mentality even after setbacks.”
The 31-year-old addresses his recent red card, explaining he was punished for stepping onto the pitch. He reveals he had a conversation with Howard Webb about the incident and will be on the touchline against Chelsea but still faces a fine.
Hurzeler said: “I was penalised for stepping onto the pitch, which happened in the heat of the moment. Emotions run high, I spoke to Howard Webb after, it was a respectful conversation. We cleared it up.”
Embed from Getty ImagesJoao Pedro, is currently injured after Morgan Gibbs-White’s challenge and will likely miss out on the match at Stamford Bridge. Hurzeler mentioned they are assessing his availability on a regular basis.
He said: “Joao took a tough tackle, and we’re assessing him week by week. It’s too early to say when he’ll be back.” Following the 2-2 draw against Forest, fans spotted Pedro leaving the Amex Stadium in crutches.
Embed from Getty ImagesOther injury updates include a positive report on Brajan Gruda and Solly March who could return soon. The Brighton boss is careful about their reintegration into the squad, prioritising gradual progress.
He said: “Brajan is progressing well, and we’re hopeful he can return soon. As for Solly, his recovery has been really impressive, but we’re taking it step by step. We don’t want to rush things with either of them.”
Hurzeler has plenty of praise for Chelsea and their tactical flexibility. He discusses his approach to balancing defensive strategies against Chelsea’s fast and skilled players, highlighting Nicholas Jackson as a key threat.
He said: “Chelsea have great tactical flexibility and individual quality. We’ve prepared for their fast, skilled players, especially Nicholas Jackson, who is a real threat. Balancing our defensive strategies will be crucial in this match.” “We’ve studied their tactics closely, and it’s clear we have to be flexible in our approach. Sometimes you have to adapt on the spot, and that’s what we aim to do.”This next match is crucial for our momentum. We know the importance of every game in this league, and the boys are prepared.”
Embed from Getty ImagesHurzeler also praises the Albion fans: “Our fans have been fantastic, even in tough times. They’re the 12th man, and we want to give them something to cheer about every game.”
He also speaks about Brighton’s squad depth and how that can help with the current injury status of various first choice players. He said: “Yes, we have a few knocks, but that’s normal in football. It gives others a chance to show their quality, and I’m sure they’ll grab it.”
“I have full confidence in all the players. It’s not just about the starting XI; the depth of the squad is what helps us over the long term, and they’ve proved they can step up.”
Embed from Getty ImagesFinally, the German manager reflects on the challenges of playing Liverpool twice in four days, after drawing them in the Carabao Cup fourth round. They face the Reds at home on Wednesday 30 October before heading to Anfield for their Premier League fixture on Saturday 2 November.
Here’s what Hurzeler had to say on the strategic complexities involved in this circumstance: “Facing Liverpool twice in such a short span is a challenge. It requires a lot of strategic thinking, not just in terms of tactics but also how we manage the players physically and mentally over these two games.”
Written by Isabelle Newnham
INMR FOOTBALL 
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