Premier, De Zerbi draws with Guardiola: Brighton in the Europa League

Mission accomplished. Brighton wins just enough point against Manchester City to earn the certainty of playing next season in the Europa League, and to finish their best season ever in the Premier League in sixth place. The 1-1 draw at the Amex Stadium closes the mission of De Zerbi’s team and opens the treble operation of Guardiola’s team, on their first outing after winning their third consecutive title and after the party that followed. A good game came out of it, between two of the teams that together with Arsenal played the best football of the season, and a equal in the right end.

THE KEYS

—

The goals were scored by Foden and Enciso between the 25th and 38th minutes of the first half, but the match before and after was as good as one could expect. Because if De Zerbi is for Guardiola “the most influential manager of the last 20 years”, Pep is for Roberto a master and “the best of the last thirty” and they wanted to prove it. Brighton has shown that they are a racing team, which with the creed of the Italian coach next year will also be able to get noticed in the Europa League, provided obviously that the management (the patron Tony Bloom was in the locker room before the match, to celebrate with the team for the historic first time in Europe, already in the archives before taking on City) builds that squad of 22-24 players plus the goalkeepers that De Zerbi wants to withstand the double confrontation and be up to everything. Brighton need not overdo their departures either, as Mac Allister and Caicedo are strongly suspected to have played their last game at the Amex Stadium as idols of the home fans. City did what they had to in the first of two irrelevant matches (the second is Sunday at Brentford) that separate them from the two finals with United and Inter: they took care not to get hurt. John Stones may not have succeeded, as he was bruised late on, but everyone else showed that, while they may have celebrated winning the Premier League in recent days, they are ready to make history. This was the right game to put the pitch back at the center of everything, not because City can become the strongest team English football has ever had.

THE MATCH

—

Splendid first half, with Foden’s goals in the 25th minute and Enciso’s wonder in the 38th minute as highlights of 45′ of spectacular football and chances on one side (Welbeck’s cross from a free kick in the 20th minute) and on the other (Haaland makes two mistakes… not by Haaland), with City making the match up to 1-0 and Brighton improving after that, finding a well-deserved equal. It starts again from 1-1, but changes, tiredness and a sense of contentment ensure that the recovery is not as explosive as the first half, while remaining sparkling. In the 79th minute, Var canceled Haaland’s goal for a foul by the Norwegian himself on Colwill before the winning header and when the referee whistled on the pitch there was only a desire to celebrate. Brighton for their historic season, that of the first time in the cups. City the first step in his treble operation.