Brighton suffer injury blow with Pervis Estupinan ruled out ‘for a long time’… as Roberto de Zerbi admits the Seagulls must adapt to their schedule
- Brighton boss Roberto de Zerbi expects Pervis Estupinan to be out for a month
- De Zerbi will face former team-mate Gennaro Gattuso as Brighton host Marseille
- Click HERE to listen to the latest episode of Mail Sport’s ‘It’s All Kicking Off’
Roberto de Zerbi fears Pervis Estupinan will be out for about a month after suffering an injury in Brighton’s six-goal thrashing at Aston Villa.
‘He’s injured and can’t play for a long time,’ said De Zerbi ahead of Thursday’s Europa League tie in Marseille. ‘One month, more or less. I don’t know the right time but it’s a muscular injury and it is not for a game or two.
‘Unfortunately, it is an important player we are losing but we can play in that position with Tariq Lamptey, Igor Julio or others. We have to be ready with others.’
De Zerbi did not blame Estupinan’s injury on the crowded schedule of Brighton’s first European campaign but admitted the club were still learning to cope with new demands.
‘We are not used to playing so many games in a row in the same week and we have to adapt,’ said the Brighton boss. ‘To adapt we have to change many players game by game. The defeats against West ham and Aston Villa are not because I changed a lot of players. I believe in my players and my squad. We have enough to fight better.’
Brighton are fearful Pervis Estupinan could face a month on the sidelines through injury
Roberto De Zerbi admits Brighton are learning to cope with demands of their new schedule
Brighton face a Marseille side in the Europa League who are now coached by Gennaro Gattuso
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Brighton lost 6-1 at Villa Park on Saturday and De Zerbi hopes the shock defeat will prove a catalyst for their season.
‘I think the Villa game would be very important for us,’ he said. ‘I know very well the quality inside my dressing room and think we will react in the best way.
‘I don’t speak about the result but the attitude and the passion we will show from here until the end of the season will be totally different. Mistakes can happen sometimes but it is important, it can be a crucial day for us.’
Rino Gattuso is the new manager of Marseille, an old foe of De Zerbi’s from Italian football. They were involved in an infamous clash when in charge of Foggia and Pisa, in a play to reach Serie B in 2016.
‘I will be happy to face Gattuso,’ said De Zerbi. ‘We have had two very similar paths. We started managing abroad and in the third division together. I have lots of respect for him. I might not say he is a friend of mine but I respect him and his staff. Even if we have to be rivals tomorrow and need to fight a little we will do it with respect.’
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