Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi ‘told to leave’ press conference after mix-up

Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi had a night to forget on their Europa League debut after watching his side lose 3-2 at home to AEK Athens. The Italian looked animated and frustrated in equal measure after the Seagulls tasted defeat in their first European game at the Amex Stadium, and an out-of-sorts De Zerbi got his media duties mixed up after reportedly being told to leave the post-match press conference.

In the aftermath of their home defeat by the Greek champions, De Zerbi probably would have been keen to get his post-match media duties done as quickly as possible. But when he arrived to conduct the press conference in a room full of reporters, De Zerbi was instructed he had to leave.

This was because De Zerbi had forgotten that he was required to give his broadcast interview with UK-based channel TNT Sports first before heading into the press conference. Clearly still absorbed by the five-goal thriller, the 44-year-old was forced to wait his turn.

Instead, he was made to wait while AEK Athens boss Matias Almeyda had his turn in front of the media. And it remains unclear if De Zerbi actually abided by his obligations and gave TNT the interview or not.

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The tactician did, however, get his chance to speak to the press at around 11pm UK time – nearly an hour after the match finished – ensuring reporters would be getting home late. But it was worth the wait after an entertaining game of football that featured five goals and an astonishing 11 yellow cards.

AEK took a shock lead when former Everton defender Djibril Sidibe powered home a fine header after 11 minutes to silence the raucous home crowd. VAR then played a key role in awarding Brighton a penalty when Joao Pedro – initially booked for simulation – was given the chance to level things up and the Brazilian made no mistake from the spot.

Mijat Gacinovic restored the visitors’ lead five minutes before the break but it was Joao Pedro again who won a spot-kick midway through the second half. And once again, he dispatched it with expertise to bring the game level at 2-2.

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However, Almeyda’s men would have the last laugh when Ezequiel Ponce snatched the winner with 10 minutes to go. And despite a massive 13 minutes of stoppage time, Brighton couldn’t find a third leveller.

Despite the result, De Zerbi said he was “proud” of the performance after finally getting his chance to sit in front of the media. 

“We conceded three goals, two goals from set pieces, an incredible goal the third,” De Zerbi told reporters. “We made mistakes in the last third of the pitch, the chance for Joao Pedro in the second half, Igor in the first.

“But I’m proud of the performance. We didn’t show experience, but we showed personality. We have to analyse the performance and the performance was good.”

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