[Albion] AEK Athens FC vs Brighton & Hove Albion *** Official Match Thread ***

[Dick Head]

AEK Athens v Albion

EUROPA LEAGUE

Venue: OPAP Arena
Date: Thursday 30th November 2023
Kick-off: 17:45 GMT
Referee: Sandro Schärer
Assistants: Bekim Zogaj , Jonas Erni
Fourth Official: Johannes von Mandach
VAR: Lukas Fähndrich
Additional VAR: Lionel Tschudi
UEFA Referee Observer: Stefano Podeschi
UEFA Delegate: David McDowell Zor
​

Brighton's Ansu Fati and Tariq Lamptey will both be "out for a long time" as the Seagulls prepare to face AEK Athens in a crucial Europa League match on Thursday.

Albion will reach the Europa League knockout stages with a win.

They are second in Group B with two matches remaining and are three points above the Greek champions in third.

"Fati and Lamptey are injured. We have lost them for a long time I think," said Brighton manager Roberto de Zerbi.

The pair were substituted in Brighton's 3-2 victory over Nottingham Forest on Saturday.

But De Zerbi did confirm defender Igor Julio would return to the squad after missing last weekend's game.

"The focus is on the players who can play tomorrow," he added.

"We will have to compete. I don't know if we will win, but we will fight to win the game for sure."

Roberto De Zerbi and Joao Pedro's AEK Athens Press Conference

 

[Mortdecai]

 

[jakarta]

Oh well, if any refs are neutral, it will be Swiss ones...

 

[Gabbafella]

Even the officials have injury concerns.

 

[Greg Bobkin]

This next game could be season-defining.

 

[Psychobilly freakout]

Oh well well, if the refs need to secrete any ill gotten gains in a bank that will ask no questions, it will be Swiss ones…

 

[Beach Hut]

So excited

 

[Originunknown]

What a game for the U21s!
With an aged James Milner at left back
Don't lose it boys

 

[Swegulls]

Game day, it makes me happy! Will be interesting to see the line up, AEK were quite quick on the break at the Amex so whoever plays at LB it will be some 90+ minutes. A 1-0 win will be perfect!

 

[Uh_huh_him]

Dunky at the back
Fergie in attack.

we'll be fine.
UTA!

 

[Tom Hark Preston Park]

It's got μηδέν-all written all over it

 

[Simster]

It's got FÜCK YOU, BASTARD written all over it

Fixed.

 

[deletebeepbeepbeep]

Am I right in thinking that anything but a loss will set up a winner takes all game at home to Marseille?

 

[schmunk]

Am I right in thinking that anything but a loss will set up a winner takes all game at home to Marseille?

If we draw with AEK today, they beat Ajax and we lose to Marseille, whatever the goal differences AEK would go through based on head-to-head.

 

[Hamilton]

Feeling vaguely confident.

 

[PILTDOWN MAN]

If we draw with AEK today, they beat Ajax and we lose to Marseille, whatever the goal differences AEK would go through based on head-to-head.

That’s understood but not the answer to the question

 

[Nicks]

With Big Philly in attack and Big Philly at the back
Brightons going to win the Europa League

Had to be in the James Joyce last night to appreciate that.

 

[Paulie Gualtieri]

With Big Philly in attack and Big Philly at the back
Brightons going to win the Europa League

Had to be in the James Joyce last night to appreciate that.

I’ve never met the man but have seen his exploits on Twitter from time to time. Apparently he over did it the night before and sounds like it’s happened again

 

[schmunk]

That’s understood but not the answer to the question

OK, let's try an alternative answer:

"No, it's a lot more complicated than that. There are still several different permutations which could arise from the next two sets of games, and all four teams are still capable of qualifying for the next round."

 

[Originunknown]

OK, let's try an alternative answer:

"No, it's a lot more complicated than that. There are still several different permutations which could arise from the next two sets of games, and all four teams are still capable of qualifying for the next round."

Yep, it'll be clearer after today's games but whatever we do avoiding a loss is the most important thing tonight