Sussex

Ninad Barbadikar
Football tactics writer

Fabian Hurzeler had big shoes to fill at Amex Stadium following Roberto de Zerbi's exit, but the Seagulls are continuing to soar in the Premier League.

The young German's arrival has seen him implement some key principles, one being overloading the opposition's last line of defence with attackers and midfielders.

"You occupy opponents more if you have more players in the last line," he said.

"Then you create more dynamism with deep runs and how many players can create deep runs."

Image source, Premier League

This bold approach to occupying defenders helps Brighton push defensive lines deeper and keep their opposition pinned as well. Increasing their numbers inside the penalty area means that the crosser has a number of options and contact is bound to be made by one of the players attacking.

One of the wingers will move inward and join the attacking line, and one of the two midfielders in Brighton's 4-2-3-1 formation will also push up to provide support in the box. Their match-winner against Manchester City earlier this season was one such example, where Matt O'Riley burst past Rico Lewis into the City box to score.

Brighton's underlying data from last campaign under De Zerbi suggested their style of play was most similar to Pep Guardiola's City - but Hurzeler's approach has taken them away from that, with more directness introduced in possession.

The average Brighton possession sequence is about 3.5 passes, making them one of the more dynamic sides in the Premier League.

Whereas under De Zerbi they possessed the ball a lot more in their own third to bait the opposition press, Brighton are now happy to play long balls when necessary to reach the final third, win second balls and then move the ball centrally or funnel it wide for cutback opportunities or crosses.

Hurzeler has spoken of the importance of courage from players executing his football and, in Jan Paul van Hecke, he has one of the finest ball-playing centre-backs in the Premier League.

The Dutchman is the key at the back for Brighton to break through opposition lines and then find his team-mates in space, who will progress the attack further.

Van Hecke has accumulated the fifth highest number of pass attempts from open-play in 2024-25, attempting 1,773 passes in total, underlining his importance for Hurzeler.

Read the full piece on Hurzeler's Brighton here

Image source, Getty Images

BBC Radio Nottingham's Colin Fray has been looking ahead to Saturday's FA Cup quarter-final at Brighton on the latest episode of Shut Up And Show More Football: "Nuno has a love for the competition. He's talked about how they were the only English games he could watch growing up. It does hold a special place.

"I saw how relieved he was getting past Exeter. Also last year, getting past Blackpool and Bristol City, he was relieved as it was progress in the cup.

"It's undoubtedly a difficult game for Forest. Brighton are improved lately. It's a huge game for Forest and they haven't come along often in the past 30 years or so."

Forest - who last won the FA Cup in 1959 - thrashed Brighton 7-0 in the Premier League in February and Fray added: "You have to praise Brighton's response to it. They have been brilliant since. For that reason, and because they will be completely fired up looking for revenge, it gives them a huge chance to put things right in front of their fans. In a strange way, it makes it more difficult for Forest."

Johnny Cantor, who covers Brighton for BBC Radio Sussex, joined the Forest podcast and referenced the 7-0 defeat, stating: "It has been the catalyst for Brighton's recent good form. It was a day, evening or 48-hour period when they started to look at themselves and said 'why did that happen?' and 'it can't happen again'.

"Fabian Hurzeler reportedly came in on Monday morning when the players came back in and he got the formation sheet and literally burned it in front of the players to say: 'That didn't work, forget it, we are moving on now.'

"He has learned from that, and the team has. I think it has given them that impetus and catalyst to really kick on and they are unbeaten since.

"They have the appetite back again and have reached the semi-finals twice in the past six seasons. They have got a taste for it. They want to win something. They believe now their squad is probably the strongest it has ever been. And with it being so open this season with a lot of the big boys out, it presents an interesting opportunity."

Listen to Shut Up And Show More Football here

Image source, Getty Images

Earlier, we asked which player has appeared in the most Premier League wins for Brighton.

The answer is Lewis Dunk, who has been involved in 80 victories.

Image source, Getty Images

Fabian Hurzeler says he does not think about the elevated status that comes with being a head coach in the Premier League as he just wants to continue to live a normal life.

The 32-year-old was spotted while at home for a days in the international break by a Brighton supporter, who went on to chat to him about this weekend's upcoming FA Cup quarter-final.

In Friday's media conference, Hurzeler was asked about whether his life has changed since moving to Brighton from Bundesliga II side St Pauli because of the prominence of English football worldwide.

"I don't think about things like that as it is part of the business and you have to accept it," replied Hurzeler. "My life doesn't change because I want to stay as the same Fabian I have always been.

"I always want to be that guy who is available for my players, who is the biggest supporter of my players, embraces challenges and works hard for the club so that they can be successful.

"That is how I want to be seen. I am not thinking about whether I am being recognised.

"I don't think I can't do that or go there because I just want to live my life. I am obsessed with football and that is why I try to focus on these things."

Katie Stafford
BBC Sport journalist

Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler has been speaking to the media before Saturday's FA Cup quarter-final against Nottingham Forest (kick-off 17:15 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Lewis Dunk, Solly March and Matt O'Riley are expected to be available but Tariq Lamptey "will be out for longer".

• He said "it is so far so good" in terms of international players returning with no issues so Kaoru Mitoma and Joao Pedro should be able to start Saturday's game.

• On feeling the importance of the game: "Even when I spent some time in my home town, a Brighton fan called my name and he said he was really looking forward to watch the game. So you feel it, but it is important that you don't make it artificially big."

• More on dealing with quarter-final pressure: "It is an important game like all of the other games in which we have to go to our limits. That is what we have to do again tomorrow. We all know it is a big opportunity and chance."

• He said the players who did not go on international duty had a few days off "and then came back with a lot of energy and full of spirit to continue this [seven game unbeaten] run".

• On The FA Cup seemingly being more open this season: "The clubs who are in it remain in it for a reason and deserve to be there. I wouldn't say that just because the bigger teams are out, as it is always an opportunity to win if you are in."

• He said "being authentic and creating togetherness" is what he came in to do and "trusting that process" means you might have the opportunity to win something. Hurzeler added: "It is not about me or trying to build a legacy, it's about achieving something as a team."

• On opponents Nottingham Forest: "We only have to look at the table. If a team is that long at the top of the table then they are there for a reason. They are a top team with a lot of individual quality. It is an opportunity to prove how far we are in our development and we will try to make the next step."

Follow all of Friday's FA Cup news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

Which player has appeared in the most Premier League wins for Brighton?

Come back to this page at 17:00 GMT for the answer