Pep Guardiola is full of praise for Brighton manager Roberto De Zerbi, calling him ‘one of the most influential managers in the last 20 years.’ Manchester City face the Seagulls tomorrow evening and ahead of the match Guardiola singled out the work the Italian manager has done at Brighton, hailing his approach and tactics this season which has led them to their first ever qualification for European football:
“Congratulations to Brighton for this incredible achievement of getting into Europe. Roberto De Zerbi is one of the most influential managers in the last 20 years. There is no team that plays the way they play, it’s unique.”
“I had the feeling that when he arrived I had an idea the impact he would have on the Premier League would be great but I couldn’t expect him to do it in such a short time.”
“They create on average 20-25 chances per game. They monopolise the ball in a way that hasn’t been seen for a long time. Everybody is involved – the goalkeeper is like a holding midfielder.”
“If you don’t play at a high level, he can do whatever he wants against you.” They completely deserve the compliments and the success that they have. It’s one of the teams that I try to learn a lot from, it’s unique.
“It’s going to be an incredible challenge for us ahead of the two finals.”
“Brighton is a master of passing the ball to a man who is free, but also knowing when to pass the ball.”
“They know how to move at the right time. They have the right tempo to pass to the man free.
“How aggressive they are with the ball they continued from Graham Potter because I think he installed something really good.”
