The flight of the Seagulls into Europe commanded good fanfare. It was, really rightly, a celebration in its have suitable. Affirmation of kinds of their recovery from the brink of extinction, not only to return to the top flight of English soccer but further than.
The city responded by lighting up Brighton Pavilion in blue for the situation and decking the streets in club colours. Admirers flocked to the Amex Stadium in large spirits. Then AEK Athens descended on the south coastline and clipped their wings.
2 times the Greeks led and 2 times Roberto de Zerbi’s workforce responded with the assistance of two penalties awarded immediately after VAR referrals and both clinically converted by Joao Pedro as the contest twisted one particular way and one more.
But Brighton produced little by their own benchmarks. They took far more than an hour to come across any rhythm and just as they produced a little momentum were being punished at the back and shocked by the winner, scored by AEK substitute Ezquiel Ponce.
It was the 1st time the 13-time Greek champions experienced beaten any English opposition given that 1977. The activity finished in a deluge to go with defeat. They have been by too a lot to be too despondent in these components but the new chapter of their soaring script was not intended to get started like this.
Djibril Sidibe scored a sensational header to give AEK Athens a surprise guide at the Amex
Ezequiel Ponce’s fortuitous winner stunned the property group as Brighton fell to defeat
Roberto de Zerbi was still left dismayed as Brighton’s significant European bow finished in a 3-2 defeat
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‘We conceded as well early,’ said Pedro. ‘We knew they have been sturdy in corners and in assault. We require to study.’
De Zerbi made 7 modifications to the workforce that received at Manchester United on Sunday, leaving out captain Lewis Dunk and Evan Ferguson to rest small injuries. Each are envisioned to be healthy for Sunday versus Bournemouth.
Dunk’s absence was felt as AEK took an early guide, a fantastic traveling header scored by Djibril Sidibie, the previous France intercontinental whose mortgage spell at Everton is best remembered for the time he forgot to place on a single of his socks as he arrived on as a substitute.
Brighton spluttered, wobbled and could possibly have gone even more guiding. Jason Steele produced outstanding will save to hold out Levi Garcia and Orbelin Pineda and Garcia dragged a further fantastic opportunity wide as De Zerbi contorted in fury on the touchline, getting intention at a water bottle. He too skipped.
It was midway by means of the very first 50 percent when AEK goalkeeper Cican Stankovic was necessary to make a save of note, at his in close proximity to write-up to deny Ansu Fati, generating his first start out and normally anonymous. Igor Julio headed extensive at the back article when he should really have scored just before penalty drama quantity just one.
To begin with, Estonian referee Kristo Tohver believed striker Pedro experienced dived. Out came his yellow card but replays supported Pedro’s assert he had been tripped by Ehsan Hajsafi and VAR intervened to alter the selection.
Pedro, his yellow rescinded, levelled from the spot. He will go into the document textbooks as Brighton’s first scorer in European competitors but AEK’s direct was restored prior to the interval. Again, from a set-piece, this time a cost-free-kick swerved expertly into the penalty box and slid past Steele on the bounce by Mijat Gacinovic.
A lengthy stoppage for therapy to AEK defender Hajsafi interrupted the next 50 percent right after a clash of heads with Jan-Paul van Hecke.
Joao Pedro scored his third of the period when he created it 1-1 from the penalty spot
Mijat Gacinovic restored AEK’s benefit just a couple of minutes right before the break
Pedro once all over again received Brighton again into the sport as he saved his cool from 12 yards out
Ponce scored the winner as AEK Athens resisted two equalisers to prevail in the end
Brighton missing Milner to damage prior to penalty drama variety two. All over again, a trip on Pedro dismissed by referee Tohver, possibly mainly because of the exaggerated drop. Again, a referral to the pitch-aspect screens and a alter of intellect by the guy in the center.
Yet again, Pedro despatched goalkeeper Stankovic the mistaken way and equalised and established up a frenzied closing sequence including 13 minutes of additional time but Ponce settled the tie. This time there was no way back for Brighton.
