Brighton 1 Olympique Marseille 0 (Europa League qualifying)
This was not a great game – and one which Olympique Marseille could have won – so, in true Rust fashion, I will provide not a match report, which you can read elsewhere in the papers and/or on other websites, but my opinion of what victory means to Brighton and why Brighton have achieved so much – and some of the so called big boys so little by comparison.
By winning the Europa League group Brighton do not have to play the play-offs but go straight in the draw for the round of 16 on February 23rd .
Some of the European power-house clubs in the Champions League, who are in 3rd place in their Champions League group and therefore do not qualify in that competition but instead drop down to the Europa League – like AC Milan, Benfica and Shaktar Donetsk – might be in the draw, so the Seagulls might expect a glamorous two-legged tie on March 7th and 14th.
As important, pressure will be off the squad as Brighton will not have to rotate their squad for the play-offs and play on a Thursday night and Sunday.
Fans have really enjoyed their first European experience.
Some would have travelled to Gillingham, many watched Brighton at the Athletic stadium at the Withdean. Now they have a magnificent stadium on Falmer.
Why have Brighton over-achieved and Manchester United and Chelsea under-achieved?
The main answer is the Brighton owner and chairman Tony Bloom.
He has not just invested north of £100m to build the new stadium and training centre at Lancong, but also still has to contribute to pay the high wages.
In the administration he is ably backed by his chief executive – and now deputy chairman – Paul Barber.
Secondly, recruitment has been brilliant.
The eighteen year old Buonanotte was purchased cheaply from River Plate – another 18 year old Evan Ferguson cost nothing at all.
Kouru Mitoma and Joel Veltman were bought cheaply. Ferguson and Mituma could join the long list of profitable transfers (Ben White, Trossard to Arsenal, Bissouma to Spurs, Mac Alister to Liverpool, Cucarella and Caicedo to Chelsea).
These must have raised £350m.
Recruitment at coaching level has also been superb.
Chris Hughton took Brighton from the Championship to the Premier, Graham Potter continued his good work until he joined Chelsea and Dan Ashworth, as Director of Football, Newcastle.
Now Roberto de Zerbi is doing a great job as a shrewd tactician as all the “transfers out” and Eurosport League commitments have not affected our league performance.
The third reason is the support.
It’s right behind Brighton without carrying unrealistic aspirations. It’s wonderful to see the degree of local support in the city when not so long ago the kids wore Arsenal, Manchester United or even Liverpool shirts.
