Billy Gilmour was a notable absentee as Roberto De Zerbi named his starting XI to face Marseille in the Europa League
Brighton are embarking on their first ever Europa League away day, but Roberto De Zerbi’s side is equally desperate for three points to kick-start their Group B campaign.
The Albion lost their first group encounter 3-2 to AEK Athens at the Amex Stadium two weeks ago, and a loss in the south of France would significantly reduce their chances of moving to the knockout stages.
Brighton are sixth in the Premier League, although De Zerbi’s team has struggled recently. They were beaten 6-1 by Aston Villa last Saturday after losing 1-0 to Chelsea in the Carabao Cup midweek.
There have been a handful of disappointing performances, and the midfield has been a problem area as De Zerbi hunts for his ideal combination following the departures of Moises Caicedo and Alexis Mac Allister.
Gilmour and youth Jack Hinshelwood both started against Viila, but Gilmour appears to have paid the price, as he is now on the bench in Marseille. Pascal Gross is back from injury and will start alongside Mo Dahoud, who was on the bench at Villa Park.
De Zerbi stated, ”
The Albion make five changes in all, with Ansu Fati, on loan from Barcelona, starting at No. 10, and Jan Paul van Hecke, Tariq Lamptey, Gross, and Dahoud all coming in.
Lewis Dunk makes his Europa League debut after being injured in the loss to AEK.
Steele, Lamptey, van Hecke, Dunk, Veltman; Dahoud, Gross; March, Mitoma, Fati; Welbeck are the Brighton XI. Verbruggen, Igor, Webster, Joao Pedro, Gilmour, Baleba, Adingra, Ferguson, McGill, Buonanotte, Hinshelwood are the substitutes.
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