We cannot compete in Europe with just 15 players

Roma drubbing was a rude awakening, admits De Zerbi

ROBERTO DE ZERBI has branded Brighton’s crushing fourgoal defeat at Roma a ‘rude awakening’ as they learn what it takes to become regulars in European competition.

The Brighton head coach took his share of the blame and acknowledged injuries had left them depleted. But he also delivered a veiled message to owner Tony Bloom about ambition and the need to strengthen the squad to keep the team at this level.

‘The real problem is that we struggle to play three games a week with 15-16 players available,’ said De Zerbi. ‘Finding the energy to play 90 minutes in the Premier League, then another 90 in the Europa League — if you don’t have the ability to rotate the squad, you are running on empty.

‘It is a rude awakening. We were all hoping for a different match, a different result and a different quality of football. The thing that irritates us the most is that we were unable to express ourselves.

‘Roma were far too good. We saw a difference in pace, calm, self-belief and experience of this type of knockout fixture.’

After losing 4-0 in the first leg of the Europa League last-16 tie, De Zerbi admitted his team had been handed a lesson by opponents with a rich pedigree in these battles and a side including veteran European campaigners such as Romelu Lukaku, Paulo Dybala and Leandro Paredes.

It has reinforced his feeling that Brighton need more know-how because even senior players Lewis Dunk and Pascal Gross are inexperienced in European football.

Bloom’s policy, however, revolves around his ability to identify and sign young players, improve them and sell for profit. It has been successful and is unlikely to change.

‘I believe this has taught everyone at the club, from the president (Bloom) who, for the first time, has been confronted by this competition and therefore he will improve the team in the future,’ said De Zerbi in Rome.

‘I have to better manage the period from January to March, when we have one game after another in England to arrive better at the knockout stages.’

Brighton host Nottingham Forest tomorrow before the second leg against Roma. Then they have Manchester City, Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United, Newcastle and Aston Villa among their final 11 Premier League games.

It is a daunting sequence, fuelling fears they may slide into the bottom half. But De Zerbi added: ‘We still have the chance to fight for a European place next year.’