De Zerbi: Our fans are a big motivation for us'

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Head coach says writing a new chapter in the club's history is a magical moment for him and his players.

Bruce Talbot

2023-10-28T06:30:00Z

Roberto De Zerbi faces the media ahead of Sunday's game against Fulham.

Roberto De Zerbi says doing well for Albion’s fans is a ‘big, big motivation for us.’

The head coach was speaking ahead of the Fulham game about a voice note which he sent to his friend Lele Adani, the former Italian international who played five times for Italy and represented eight Italian clubs.

In it, De Zerbi described his feelings as he walked around Brighton prior to Thursday’s historic 2-0 win over Ajax, our first victory in the Europa League.

In the note he said to Adani, “My friend, I was walking around the city... how nice is it to see the children with scarves, t-shirts, already waiting for our match? I felt goosebumps, unbelievable. How can you miss a tackle, play badly, not try a dribble if you think about these children who dream of that moment?

“Football is incredible. I'm 44 years old and I'm still in this state! Just a few people can understand it.”

Reflecting further, De Zerbi said, “He had my permission. Lele Adani is my big friend and [Thursday] morning it was true. We felt the atmosphere in this moment from our fans and it is a big, big motivation for us.

“We know we are doing something historic for the club, for the city. We have a big, big motivation to play with this quality, this pride, because we are writing the new history and it’s magical for us.

“Football is not only 4-4-2 or tactical disposition. First of all, you have to transmit the emotion. We are spending a great moment in Brighton and we are lucky to have this moment in this club.”