Tottenham caretaker boss Cristian Stellini says they know they’re in for a tough game against Brighton this weekend.
Tottenham’s match against Brighton on Saturday afternoon really could prove decisive in terms of who qualifies for Europe come the end of the campaign.
Brighton are also very much in the mix for a top-four finish after an incredible run of form under Roberto De Zerbi. Win at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and the south coast club will move to within one point of Tottenham in the table, with De Zerbi’s men crucially having two games in hand still to play in the run-in.
Stellini said, “This game is really important for us because it came after two drawn matches. Matches we could win so it’s very important to play a great match against Brighton that is a tough team in this moment since Christmas. First in the league for chances created from open play, passes attempted and shots on target. It is a team with the ball that is very good, with a great manager that arrive here and is quickly doing a great job.
“We knew this manager for a long time because he’s an Italian guy and we respect him and Brighton, but we are Tottenham, and we play in our stadium and so we have to play stronger, and play in our way and in a way we can hurt them. We know very well which is this way and we are well prepared to play tomorrow.”
On Roberto de Zerbi’s approach at Brighton, Stellini also said: “They are well positioned, they plan a match in the right way, they have many solutions also and they adapt themselves when you change something because they came from a good job that Potter did with them for a long time. Also I think De Zerbi find a good solution to play with his style because that team came with Potter and they know themselves very well. This is a great opportunity because when players play for a long time with each other, it is easier and they plan very well the match.”
