The Greeks might be planning to file this absent with the Elgin Marbles and other perceived injustices at the arms of British guests but Brighton will not treatment a jot.
Roberto De Zerbi’s crew remaining Athens with three details prised from a restricted contest dominated for extended durations by AEK and into the knock-out rounds with a team fixture to spare on their debut Europa League campaign.
Joao Pedro clinched the victory with his fifth aim in the competitors and his fourth from the place, a penalty received himself with a skilful jinking run with the support of the VAR who noticed a excursion missed by referee Sandro Scharer.
It was the appropriate phone, while cruel on the Greek champions who played very well and squandered so numerous chances in the initial fifty percent before ending with 10 males due to the fact midfielder Mijat Gacinovic was despatched off for a next yellow card 10 minutes following the intention.
Brighton ended up by no means fully comfortable. They rode their luck at times in the initial fifty percent but scrapped to guard their clean up sheet. Goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen and centre-halves Lewis Dunk and Igor Julio had been remarkable.
Joao Pedro celebrates scoring Brighton’s profitable target towards AEK Athens on Thursday night
Pedro’s objective sealed Brighton’s spot in the knockout levels of the Europa League
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Captain Dunk led the celebrations with 1,600 jubilant travelling followers following the closing whistle. ‘It is a historic evening, just one I will never ever neglect,’ he stated. ‘If you are unable to celebrate the fantastic periods with your fans, when can you do it? It is a enormous achievement for us.’
The only bitter take note have been reviews from Brighton followers on social that they ended up teargassed as scuffles broke out, soon after the match.
De Zerbi’s crew has matured quick since losing their opening Europa League tie towards AEK at the Amex Stadium in September. They experienced in Marseille and fought back from two down to just take a place, and they beat Ajax two times.
Listed here, depleted by accidents and with Jack Hinshelwood, an 18-yr-outdated midfielder producing his European debut at remaining-again, they had to dig in and resist in hostile surroundings, then get their prospect when it came.
‘We did not participate in nicely,’ claimed De Zerbi. ‘Athens were much better than us but it was the initially time in my time in Brighton we have received a activity in this way. We failed to play in our way but we performed with terrific character, fantastic soul and great passion.
‘Our group is a person of the most hard in the Europa League. It is nearer to a Champions League group.’
Brighton goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen experienced a hectic evening but managed to hold a clear sheet
Jack Hinshelwood (pictured) grew to become the youngest English player to begin in the Europa League considering that Jude Bellingham in February 2022
Brighton began very well plenty of. Evan Ferguson compelled a double preserve from AEK goalkeeper Cican Stankovic inside of two minutes but the dwelling aspect quickly settled into their rhythm and commenced to dominate with Mexican playmaker Orbelin Pineda ever more influential.
Vergbruggen built will save from Pineda and Steven Zuber, who also glanced a header vast and saw a different exertion deflected against a write-up by a determined sliding block by Dunk. AEK headed the rebound about.
It was Pedro, nonetheless, who made the decisive contribution. ‘He can engage in improved,’ mentioned De Zerbi. ‘His opportunity is larger than his effectiveness today but he played in Brazil last 7 days and has travelled a good deal and he was worn out but in conditions of spirit and temperament it is really challenging to score a penalty in this stadium.’
Brighton’s activity was made much easier when Mijat Gacinovic was despatched off for AEK Athens in the next 50 percent
There were being passionate celebrations from Brighton’s gamers at comprehensive time
Roberto De Zerbi has guided his side into the knockout rounds with a recreation to spare