Roberto De Zerbi urges Brighton to embrace FA Cup semi-final pressure

Brighton boss Roberto de Zerbi He urged his players to ‘love’ the pressure in the Wembley FA Cup semi-finals. Manchester United.

Albion are seeking to reach the final for the second time in their history since losing 4-0 to United in the replay 40 years ago.

De Zerbi hopes the team will embrace Sunday’s opportunity and stick to the eye-catching style of play that the Seagulls are chasing in the European qualifiers. premier alliance.

“If you want to progress, if you want to improve your mentality, you have to play naturally,” said the Italian.

“You don’t have to suffer from pressure, or maybe it’s better to have to love this pressure.

“Playing this kind of game should be an honor, not a problem, so you have to get used to feeling this pressure.

“We want to start the game with a positive head and positive thoughts and have fun. To show our quality, we have to have fun.”

De Zerbi’s previous visits to the National Stadium were only as spectators.

The former Shakhtar Donetsk coach will be in the dugout for the first time after leading his side to victories in Middlesbrough, Liverpool, Stoke and Grimsby.

Albion were named favorites by some bookmakers after beating United 2-1 at Old Trafford earlier in the season under Graham Potter.

I want to start the game with a positive head, positive thoughts and have fun.

Roberto de Zerbi

“If you want to improve, if you want to be better and bigger, you have to play this type of game,” De Zerbi said.

“We’re talking two or three months european league (Qualifications) And talking is easier than playing.

“But you have to compete to win trophies and get bigger.

“There will be a lot of fans, a great stadium and a great atmosphere.

“We can win games, we can lose games, but we can definitely compete. We can compete with them in one game.”

Erik ten Hag’s side head to north London after a difficult Europa League quarter-final against Sevilla.

Twelve-time FA Cup winners blew a two-goal lead after losing 3-0 to Spain on Thursday night, losing 5-2 on aggregate to two draws.

De Zerbi is unsure if Albion’s opponents will suffer a hangover from that contracted experience, but as he looks to secure a return at Wembley against either Manchester City or Sheffield United. , concentrating on his own side.

“Sure, Sevilla played a great, great game. “And Sevilla, like United, is a big team in Europe.

“I think the best solution is to respect our opponents and focus on what we can do, what we have to do, and win the game.

“Manchester United are one of the best teams in the UK, but I think they deserve to play this kind of game in this competition.”

De Zerbi makes a late agile call ahead of the semi-finals.

Striker Evan Ferguson and defender Joel Feltman limped from last weekend’s 2-1 win at Chelsea.

“The injury situation is still unclear,” said De Zerbi. “See you tomorrow morning.

“We have two days left, so we have time to understand the situation and analyze the situation.”