Brighton & Hove Albion on Thursday took a huge step toward the UEFA Europa League knockout rounds with a 2-0 win against Ajax, but the victory might have come at a cost, with two more defenders set to miss game time due to injuries.
Barcelona loanee Ansu Fati scored early in Amsterdam before assisting Simon Adingra in the second half to seal Brighton’s second straight 2-0 win over Ajax.
“The first goal [was] important and as well our style, because we regained the ball in high pressure and we scored after two passes,” manager Roberto de Zerbi said in a post-match interview. “The second one was incredible, because we kept the ball inside of the pitch, where I love it, and then we found the player between the line.”
Photo: EPA-EFE
Brighton are second in Group B with seven points, one behind leaders Olympique de Marseille.
However, De Zerbi was worried about the status of captain Lewis Dunk and Pervis Estupinan, who both went off injured, ahead of Sunday’s Premier League game against Sheffield United.
Dunk was replaced due to a groin injury, while substitute Estupinan lasted only 12 minutes after returning from a five-week absence with a muscle injury.
Midfielder James Milner also left the field with a knock, while key players Danny Welbeck, Solly March and Tariq Lamptey remain absent with injuries.
“I’m very worried ... we have a lot of injuries. Especially in the fullback position,” the Italian said.
“We have to find another solution because ... Sunday another important, very crucial game for us and we want to win,” he added.
Elsewhere on Thursday, it was:
‧ West Ham 1, Olympiakos 0
‧ AEK Athens 0, Marseille 2
‧ SC Freiburg 5, Backa Topola 0
‧ Toulouse 3, Liverpool 2
‧ Atalanta BC 1, Sturm Graz 0
‧ Sporting 2, Rakow 1
‧ Rangers 2, Sparta Prague 1
‧ Real Betis 4, Aris Limassol 1
‧ LASK 3, Union-Saint-Gilloise 0
‧ Rennes 3, Panathinaikos 1
‧ Qarabag 0, Leverkusen 1
‧ Maccabi 1, Villareal 2
‧ Slavia Praha 2. AS Roma 0
‧ Servette 2, Sheriff 1
‧ Hacken 1, Molde 3
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