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Roberto De Zerbi stressed the importance of changing the mood at Brighton after they beat Ajax 2-0 at the Amex Stadium to claim a first European victory.<\/p>\n
It ended a run of five games without a win as the club have struggled with injuries during their debut Europa League campaign, though their European hopes were firmly revived here with a comprehensive triumph over the four-time European champions.<\/p>\n
From the first minute Brighton outclassed a poor Ajax side, who just three days after sacking manager Maurice Steijn amidst the club\u2019s worst-ever start to an Eredivisie season, barely mustered an attack.<\/p>\n
Joao Pedro tapped in on the rebound after Karou Mitoma\u2019s shot had been parried, breaking the deadlock minutes before half-time and handing Brighton a deserved lead.<\/p>\n
The advantage was doubled eight minutes after the break when on-loan Barcelona forward Ansu Fati took a brilliant first touch to come inside his defender and rolled the ball into the corner after being set up by Simon Adingra.<\/p>\n
It was a first win in three attempts on the team\u2019s debut European campaign, lifting them to third in Group B and to within a point of leaders Marseille with whom they drew in France three weeks ago.<\/p>\n
The focus today has been the first win in European competition for Brighton, for our fans, for our club, for our owner and for ourselves<\/p>\n
A win in the return against Ajax in Amsterdam in November will put them in a commanding position to qualify for the knockout rounds ahead of their final two group games.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe focus today has been the first win in European competition for Brighton, for our fans, for our club, for our owner and for ourselves,\u201d said De Zerbi. \u201cWe didn\u2019t deserve to lose against AEK (Athens), and today we wanted 150 per cent the victory.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe played a great game with high quality. We could score more goals, but the most important thing is we didn\u2019t concede and we closed the game with a clean sheet.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor us in this moment, it\u2019s important to change the mood, to start winning games, to start to play better because we (have not been) playing like last season.\u201d<\/p>\n
The manager praised the contributions of his two goalscorers, with Pedro out in front as the team\u2019s leading European scorer with four goals in three games, whilst Fati also continued his adaption to life in England after moving from La Liga.<\/p>\n
\u201cBoth are great players, (but) I think both can play better,\u201d said De Zerbi. \u201cWe are helping a lot Ansu because he didn\u2019t play so many games last year, for him he\u2019s started a new football life. He\u2019s an incredible player, Joao Pedro as well.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019re very young, we have to help them to progress, but they have to help themselves first of all, working hard during the week, and during the game. But they are both incredible players.\u201d<\/p>\n
De Zerbi also reflected on the difficulty of balancing a hectic schedule after Solly March and Danny Welbeck joined a lengthy injury list following Saturday\u2019s loss to Manchester City.<\/p>\n
He added: \u201cThe level of difficulty is more or less the same (between the Premier League and Europa League), but it\u2019s tougher this season because after 48, 72 hours we have another important game against Fulham.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is the challenge that is most difficult for us. We have to accept the honour, because we made history for our club.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s unbelievable and it\u2019s proud for us to be part of this history, but in the same way we have to fight and to adapt, be ready to fight and enjoy and make happy our fans. Playing in Europe for Brighton is a big, big thing.\u201d<\/p>\n