Cristian previews Brighton: “We have to be strong”
Fri 07 April 2023, 18:15|
Tottenham Hotspur
Cristian Stellini has called for energy levels to ‘be at the maximum’ as we prepare for vital back-to-back home matches in the Premier League.
First up, in-form Brighton arrive at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday, followed a week later (15 April) by AFC Bournemouth. Both matches kick-off at 3pm.
Brighton have lost just one of their last 11 and sit immediately behind us in sixth, four points adrift with a game in hand, hence the importance of Saturday’s encounter. That defeat was at Fulham on 18 February and they’ve amassed 22 points so far this year, bettered only by Arsenal, City and Villa.
Brighton play with good confidence at this moment and to disrupt this, we have to be strong
“We’re playing two games in a week in our stadium, the energy has to be at a maximum high level, we have to be strong,” said Acting Head Coach Cristian. “We are training well, we’re prepared, and we have confidence.
“This game is really important for us because it comes after two drawn matches, matches we could win.
“Since Christmas, the stats of Brighton are first in the league for chances created from open play, for passes attempted and for shots on target, so, offensively, they are a great team. They play with good confidence at this moment and to disrupt this, we have to be strong.”
Brighton have also scored 28 goals since the resumption of the Premier League after the World Cup - bettered only by Arsenal and City - and at Brentford last weekend, a 3-3 draw, they managed 33 attempts at goal, the most by a team in a Premier League game this season.
Asked in his pre-match press conference why Brighton provide such a tough test at the moment, Cristian replied: “They are well prepared when you start to press them, they find a way to overcome your pressure. They are well positioned, they plan a match in the right way, they have many solutions, and they adapt when you change something. It is a team that is very good with the ball.”
