Stoke v Albion
FA CUP - THIRD ROUND
Venue: bet365 Stadium
Date: Saturday 6th January 2024
Kick-off: 15:00 GMT
Referee: Paul Tierney
Assistants: Scott Ledger, Blake Antrobus
Fourth Official: Ben Toner
De Zerbi on Stoke City, Moder fitness and fielding a strong team
Brighton boss Roberto de Zerbi has been speaking to the media before his side's FA Cup third-round tie against Stoke City on Saturday.
Here are the main lines from his news conference:
- The FA Cup competition is a "very important target" for the club: "We lost the semi-final [last year] in a bad way and we still remember that game. So, it's an important game and I want us to play our best, give our best and play seriously."
- On opponents Stoke City: "They are a good, aggressive team. In ball possession, they have a very clear style. They play with two full-backs inside of the play. It's another tough game but, to win the game, you have to fight for 90 minutes."
- In terms of injuries, Adam Webster is "OK" but his physical condition will need to be assessed ahead of the game: "He finished the [last] game with cramp. We don't want to take risks with the players because we cannot lose any more players."
- Midfielder Jakub Moder will play tomorrow: "He can be important for us because he can play in different positions on the pitch. The other guys love him because he has a great attitude, great behaviour, a very smart player. We're helping him to reach the best condition after his long injury. He needs a lot of time to come back."
- The FA Cup will not be used as an opportunity to rotate the starting XI: "No. We will play with the best team that I can choose."
- De Zerbi said his dream is not to lift the FA Cup trophy but to "win tomorrow against Stoke and then to win against Wolves when the Premier League starts again".
- On wishing Mitoma and Adingra good luck for the Asian Cup and Africa Cup of Nations: "I am the first fan of Japan because I love Japan, and the Ivory coast as well. I am the first fan of my players when they go to play in their national teams."
- Stoke and Brighton are meeting for the second consecutive season in the FA Cup, with the Seagulls winning 1-0 away from home in the fifth round last season.
- Brighton have won just one of their past 18 away games against Stoke in all competitions (D8 L9).
- Stoke City have lost their past eight FA Cup matches against Premier League opponents, since beating Bolton Wanderers 5-0 in the 2010-11 semi-final.
- Brighton have lost just one of their past seven FA Cup third-round ties (1-0 v Sheffield Wednesday in 2019-20), reaching the semi-finals last season.
- Kaoru Mitoma has been involved in four goals in five FA Cup appearances for Brighton (two goals, two assists), with last year's semi-final draw against Manchester United the only game in which he hasn't scored or assisted a goal.
Roberto De Zerbi's Stoke Press Conference
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Not an easy tie but certainly winnable, even our depleted team could be favourites to win ... but I never predict. That causes disaster. If we play as well as well as we did against Spurs, we will be in round 4 . Team selection will be interesting .
