So the European tour has finished – for this season, at least – but the same themes appeared in all the reports of the 1-0 victory over AS Roma: pride restored, and a desire to sample continental football again as soon as possible.
Most of the writers in the Amex press box have followed the team throughout the campaign, so Europe was over for them too. But all had a positive assessment of the club’s achievements.
The I paper reported that “the Amex PA system played the theme from The Great Escape before kick-off, but it turned out to be Mission: Impossible and there was no Europa League reprieve for Brighton.
“Needing a four-goal near-miracle after their 4-0 first-leg defeat by AS Roma, Brighton gave it their best shot but could only muster a single goal from Danny Welbeck after 37 minutes.
“So the Seagulls’ first ever European campaign ended, but memories of victories over Ajax, Marseille and Roma remain and both club and team will be hungry for more.
“For a while, the fans could dream as they roared Roberto De Zerbi's men forward despite the difficulty of the task ahead. Brighton went out with their heads high, but Roma went through.”
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As Ed Aarons of The Guardian pointed out, “Never before in the Europa League knockout stages had a team recovered a four-goal deficit from the first leg and Brighton’s attempt to earn a place in the history books in their first European campaign fell short despite a valiant effort in the Sussex rain.
“Roberto De Zerbi could not contain his disappointment on a frustrating evening in which Danny Welbeck gave the hosts a sliver of a chance with a brilliant goal just before half-time. Brighton’s manager spent most of the match prowling the touchline in the hope of inspiring the mother of all comebacks that never materialised.
“De Zerbi shared a hug with good friend Daniele De Rossi at the final whistle as his streetwise Roma side ensured that the damage done by their 4-0 victory last week was never likely to be recovered.
“Matching last season’s remarkable sixth-placed finish in the Premier League is certainly not beyond the realms of possibility with 10 matches still to play, although De Zerbi acknowledged that his injury-ravaged squad must rediscover their clinical edge if that is to be achieved.”
In The Daily Mail, Kieran Gill drew comparisons past and present. “Brighton salvaged some pride in beating Roma, but the miracle required was beyond them as Roberto De Zerbi’s men exited Europe at the Amex Stadium.
“While West Ham won 5-0 and Liverpool 6-1 – two scorelines which would have suited Brighton – Roma held firm after Danny Welbeck’s sensational first-half strike.
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“We had witnessed a few famous comebacks in the second legs of European football: Liverpool beating Barcelona 4-0 after losing 3-0 in 2019; Barcelona beating Paris Saint-Germain 6-1 after losing 4-0 in 2017; Deportivo La Coruna beating AC Milan 4-0 after losing 4-1 in 2004.
“What those comebacks all had in common was goals were scored inside the opening 10 minutes, but Roma avoided succumbing to Brighton’s early dominance here.
“Before the break, Welbeck made it 1-0 by stylishly finding the top corner from 18 yards, giving Brighton hope if they could follow that up with a quick second goal.
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“There were handbags as Gianluca Mancini did the Italian reputation for feigning injury no favours when he acted as if Van Hecke had violently headbutted him. Lorenzo Pellegrini pushed over Pervis Estupinan in the aftermath as Brighton headed in at half-time leading.
“At the start of the second half, Welbeck was an inch from heading in a fabulous cross from Ansu Fati, brought on by De Zerbi as they looked to pile the pressure on Roma.
“By the end, Brighton had managed 21 shots, but only five on target.”
The Daily Telegraph reported that “When Azmoun’s overhead kick looped in but was ruled out for a high boot, it seemed it might be Brighton’s night.
“And that impression grew in the 37th minute as they took the lead. Welbeck advanced down the left channel, exchanged passes with Pervis Estupinan and curled the ball past goalkeeper Mile Svilar from 18 yards.
“In the second half, De Zerbi rolled the dice with a series of substitutions and the chances came and went, the best when Svilar somehow blocked a close-range header by Adingra from Welbeck’s cross. A goal then and momentum might have built again. Instead it felt like the moment when Brighton’s hopes of prolonging their European tour finally slipped away.”
The BBC’s chief football writer, Phil McNulty, was present in the hopes of seeing a miracle. Instead he wrote that “Brighton's first venture into Europe ended in disappointment, but there were many memorable moments that will serve them well should they put themselves in a position to enjoy the experience once more.
“Brighton's fans, even as the campaign came to a close, fully entered into the spirit of what they described as their European tour, which provided many thrilling moments that they will hope to sample again soon.
“De Zerbi's side still have much to play for this season, with the opportunity of qualifying for Europe once more still very much a possibility.
| Pos | Team | Pld | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
11
|
BOU
|
34 | -11 | 45 |
|
12
|
Albion
|
33 | -2 | 44 |
|
13
|
EVE
|
35 | -11 | 44 |
“Brighton are eighth in the Premier League, only five points behind Manchester United in sixth place, and their passionate, talented manager will be eyeing up a big finish so this stadium can enjoy big European nights once more next season.
“And in the final stages, Brighton's supporters paid noisy tribute to both the manager and players who have taken them on this journey.”
And, to end on an even more positive note, Isabelle Barker of The Sun wrote that “Brighton may have been defeated in the Europa League - but they won the battle of the banners.
“Danny Welbeck’s 37th minute rocket wasn’t enough to save the club’s debut campaign in Europe after they were left with a 4-0 mountain to climb following a hellish first-leg in Rome.
“But they got the last laugh after unfurling a banner which read ‘Totti loves pineapple on pizza’ after Roma fans’ x-rated sign aimed at the late Queen last week.
“The Seagulls, who were in the third-tier as recently as 2011, can be proud of their glittering run which has seen wins in Amsterdam and Athens as well as beating Marseille at home to top their group.”