Ibrahim Oladamola
Roberto De Zerbi said Pep Guardiola is “still No 1” and revealed the Manchester City boss inspired him to become a coach, after Brighton held the champions to a 1-1 draw.
De Zerbi responded after the pair had gone head to head on the south coast, where Julio Enciso’s stunning goal cancelled out Phil Foden’s opener in a frenetic game, and said he still regards the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich as the world’s best.
“I don’t love to copy anybody, but I took [things from him] when I started to be a coach, and before, also, when I finished as a player. Pep is still No 1.”
The draw ensured Brighton will finish in sixth place, making this the best season in the club’s history, and De Zerbi was proud of the “courage” his players showed in going toe to toe with Guardiola’s.
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“When the situation was difficult we didn’t lose our style. To press Man City man to man on every side of the pitch, I think that is courage.”
De Zerbi, who also praised Enciso’s stunning equaliser as “incredible”, admitted he did not feel a Europa League finish was possible when he took the job following Graham Potter’s departure in September.
“No, but I didn’t think about the table,” he said. “I wanted to work and analyse the team, the players, understand a new country, a new league. And then, in February, I started to think about the goal.
“I’m lucky because I found a fantastic group of players. I’m a good coach but without the players… When I have to analyse something in football, I always start with the players.”
