Brighton want to give fans 'another European tour' - Grosspublished at 18:22 BST 26 August
18:22 BST 26 August
Image source, Getty Images
Brighton host Tromso in the second leg of their Conference League play-off on Thursday. The first leg ended goalless.
Seagulls midfielder Pascal Gross has said the team "don't want to waste" the work done last season to qualify and hope to give their fans the chance to go on another "European tour".
Brighton appeared in the Europa League in 2023-24, their only other season in European competition, and reached the last 16.
The experienced German is hoping a home crowd can help his side progress to the league phase.
Asked in the pre-game press conference about how special the second leg could be, Gross responded: "Really special. Like the gaffer said, it is a do-or-die game.
"In these games there are no excuses, you have to do it. And we want to do it because last year was very hard to finish eighth in the Premier League. It's a tough league and we don't want to waste it. We are in Europe, we want to qualify and give our fans another European tour home and away, therefore, we need to do the job.
"We need to take our opportunities, we need to score. We are at our home with our fans, it's a totally different game. It's a totally different environment for them as well, therefore I'm really positive."
He added: "It's different to league games because you don't have another chance to do it again, so we just need to find the right balance between attack and defence.
"It's a game of 90 minutes or longer, stay calm, but also we are at home. We are strong and we should really believe in ourselves. We showed at the weekend what we are capable of. We have our crowd and we are really confident that we go to the next round."
Hurzeler on 'do-or-die' game, Minteh and building a 'fortress'published at 17:08 BST 26 August
17:08 BST 26 August
Huzaifah Khan BBC Sport journalist
Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler has been speaking to the media before Thursday's Conference League game against Tromso at Amex Stadium (kick-off 19:30 BST).
The first leg of their play-off tie last week ended goalless.
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
Hurzeler said there are no new issues to report but Georginio Rutter has to take it "day by day" with his small injury, while Ferdi Kadioglu will "definitely" be in the squad for Thursday's game.
On new signing Jaouen Hadjam, Hurzeler said: "I think he proved it already in the past, also in the World Cup, he's capable of playing at the highest level. He played in a different league with different demands, so now it's important to see how fast he can adapt to the Premier League and the intensity of our game, how we want to play football."
On his side's focus with a big game against Chelsea on Sunday: "First of all, we should focus on the game tomorrow. That's the main thing. It's a do-or-die game, we know we'll face a tough opponent in Tromso."
He called links between Liverpool and Yankuba Minteh "rumours" and added: "It's important for a player to understand what you have here playing for a club like Brighton. You have a club that gives you a chance. You have a club and team-mates that are trying to push you. You have a club that's there for you also in tough moments, like Carlos Baleba had so many tough moments when he was here. Minteh also had tough moments but we are always there for them."
Hurzeler also issued a rallying cry to Brighton fans, saying: "I had a fan event yesterday and one of my messages towards everyone was that we want to build a fortress at home. We want to be a team that are so difficult to play against because of how we play football, but also because we have a special connection towards the fans and a special atmosphere."
He added: "Hopefully everyone who sees this press [conference] comes tomorrow to the game, creates a special atmosphere, creates a night we never forget, and hopefully we can make things possible tomorrow for them and for our belief and confidence."
Finally, on whether his side have practised penalties in case it goes the distance, the German boss said it's a "constant thing" his side train, like corners and free-kicks.
Hurzeler has to go 'very strong' against Tromso - Aspinallpublished at 09:08 BST 26 August
09:08 BST 26 August
Image source, Getty Images
Brighton face Norwegian side Tromso in the second leg of their Conference League play-off tie on Thursday following a goalless draw 200 miles north of the Arctic Circle last week.
Seagull boss Fabian Hurzeler has a big decision to make on whether he should start a strong team just three days before his side play away at Chelsea. His side are huge favourites to make it through to the League Phase of the competition but won't want to be on the end of an embarrassing upset in their search for a first major trophy in the club's history.
Both former Seagulls players Warren Aspinall and Guy Butters believe Hurzeler should go strong against their Norwegian counterparts.
Speaking on the Albion Unlimited podcast, Aspinall said: "Get the job done and put the strongest side out. See if we can get a few goals in the first half then take players off. Man for man we're better than them. As a team, we're better than them but never underestimate them because they should've won that game at home.
"It'll be completely different at the Amex with our crowd. I assume they will bring a good following but we should be beating Tromso. It's a massive game for the football club. Six extra games in Europe, financially as well, so I think he has to go very strong."
Butters agreed with Aspinall's thoughts, saying: "I think it's a good chance to get people game time again. Alright, we won at the weekend, but I still think the minutes you play with each other, when you're a player, you want to play every game, every minute.
"He will have one eye on Sunday as well but I'd go for it in this game."
Image source, Getty Images
