Tonight’s recreation between Brighton and Manchester Metropolis might have been infused with the thick stress of a title decider, had Arsenal achieved their job and stored Metropolis sincere. As it’s, Metropolis have had their identify engraved on the trophy for a 3rd successive season, lifted it and gone for an evening in town with two video games to spare.
There may be little for Pep Guardiola’s staff to play for, although the Metropolis supervisor seems up for the cerebral problem of dealing with Roberto De Zerbi, who he hailed as “some of the influential managers of the final 20 years”.
Brighton are assured of Europa League qualification, although this can’t be confirmed simply but on account of some distant aim distinction contingencies. Offering they keep away from a 9-0 loss in opposition to Metropolis and an 8-0 defeat at Aston Villa on the ultimate day, they’re sixth and can play in European competitors for the primary time of their historical past.
Man Metropolis wish to press and push opponents again, however that’s precisely what Brighton need, which ought to make this an absorbing if inconsequential recreation. Towards Arsenal on the Etihad, Metropolis morphed into extra of a 4-2-4 form and had been extra direct than normal, which exhibits Guardiola shouldn’t be too proud to account for the opposite staff’s virtues.
De Zerbi’s philosophy is all about attracting stress earlier than discovering the free participant with third-man actions – with the goalkeeper a part of their build-up play Brighton have 11 outfielders in opposition to the opponent’s 10. The free participant ought to all the time be there. When a staff locks on to Brighton man-to-man they search for longer balls excessive, utilising the velocity of Karou Mitoma.
Adam Webster is again from Brighton, however Metropolis are being cautious relating to Nathan Ake’s return to health with two cup finals on the horizon.
Full staff information on the way in which shortly.
