The best bits from De Zerbi's pre-City press conference

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The head coach discussed Kaoru Mitoma, Pep Guardiola and Jakub Moder.

Charlie Hanson

2023-10-21T06:00:00Z

Roberto De Zerbi.

Roberto De Zerbi spoke of his experience watching Pep Guardiola work with Bayern Munich at the start of his coaching career, as well as his delight at Kaoru Mitoma’s new contract, during his press conference ahead of Saturday's game against Guardiola's Manchester City.

How pleased are you to see Kaoru Mitoma sign a new contract?

I am really delighted for Kaoru, for the extension of his contract. It’s very important for the future because Kaoru is one of the best players in our team.

How do you see Kaoru improving?

Kaoru can improve when coming inside between the lines of the pitch. When he is wider, when he tries one-to-one or tries to attack the space, he is one of the best wingers in the world. He has to improve in body shape as the assist man and, in the last part of the pitch, to score more goals. He has the quality to score 20 goals.

You had the opportunity to see Bayern Munich train under Pep Guardiola. What was that experience like?

I went two times. He spent a lot of time with me. I hadn’t started to work as a coach, this is another thing to help people understand Pep. I was a player, but not a famous or important player, but he gave me time, respect and advice from the first moment.

Albion are yet to keep a clean sheet this season – is keeping one now a big target for you?

Brighton head coach Roberto De Zerbi speaks to the media ahead of Man City's visit to the Amex.

My focus is on the clean sheet. I feel pain when I watch the goals we are conceding. Luton, Wolverhampton away and Newcastle at home, we concede three goals [from] nothing.

At Villa Park it was a very tough day, but now we have conceded 16. It is too many. We are very good when we attack but the great teams score a lot of goals and concede not so many. We have to improve for sure. We are working tactically on these situations.

When can we expect Jakub Moder to start playing again?

When you are a player who loses one year to injury, before tactical or professional things, it’s a human thing. We want to help him back from the injury. I think he can become important for us, especially if we play a lot of games after January.