De Zerbi: ‘Brighton with Marseille, but I immediately thought of Foggia-Pisa’

Roberto De Zerbi took Brighton and Hove Albion to win the Europa League group with a victory over Olympique Marseille, however admits his first thought was the Serie C play-off he misplaced to Gennaro Gattuso in 2016.

The pair crossed paths once more within the Europa League and this night’s end result was decisive to see who would undergo as group leaders and due to this fact by-pass the harmful knockout play-off spherical in February.

Joao Pedro snatched the one purpose of the sport on the 88^th minute, however De Zerbi confessed his ideas instantly rushed to a really totally different showdown.

“That is the most effective second in my time right here, however it’s essential to know one thing else,” De Zerbi instructed TNT Sports activities.

“I misplaced a closing play-off in league 3 in Italy eight years in the past in opposition to Rino. Instantly after the sport, I thought of my former gamers at Foggia, as we suffered lots.

“While you lose that recreation, you possibly can’t overlook it. I’ve the recollections in my head, at all times.”

That was definitely a memorable encounter, because it descended right into a close to brawl in June 2016 for the promotion from Serie C (the third division) to Serie B.

Gattuso’s Pisa received the primary leg 4-2 at residence and within the second leg, which ended 1-1 in Foggia, Gattuso was struck by an object thrown from the stands.

The 2 coaches began arguing on the touchline after which Foggia ultras staged a pitch invasion.

This time round, it was De Zerbi who flung himself into the group of Brighton followers after the late Joao Pedro winner.

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