De Zerbi: Today's game like a final for us

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Head coach wants Albion fans to be the difference against Sheffield United.

Bruce Talbot

2023-11-12T08:28:00Z

Roberto De Zerbi has compared Sunday's game against Sheffield United to a final.

Roberto De Zerbi says Albion must approach today’s game against Sheffield United like a final - and wants the fans to play their part.

Albion could climb into the top six ahead of the international break with a victory, although the Italian is expecting a United team who claimed their first win of the season against Wolves last week to provide tough opposition.

“We only have to be focussed on today because it’s one of the most important games of the season,” he said.

“I think it’s like a final for us because it will be a very tough game, even tougher than Ajax on Thursday.

“Sheffield United are a good team, they won their first game last week. To win the game we have to play very well, a great game, with high quality, with the right attitude and we need our fans.

“I never ask anything of our fans, but today we need their support, the players need their support. If we win on Sunday I think we can reach another level in terms of mentality.

“But we have prepared [to be] at our best, like it’s a final.”

One piece of good news going into the game is that Jakub Moder will be included in a Premier League matchday squad for the first time since April 2022.

“He will be on the bench, that is great news," De Zerbi continued. “I don’t know if he will play one part of the game but he played last week with the under-21 – I watched the first half and he played very well. We are all happy for him.”