Roberto De Zerbi – Brighton & Hove Albion – Tactical Analysis

Roberto De Zerbi took over as Brighton's manager in late September, and since then, the squad has continued to flourish both in and out of possession. Despite all of the great aspects of their performance, the outcomes haven't always followed, but De Zerbi now appears to have found stability as the Seagulls are now in the seventh position. Here is our tactical study of De Zerbi's Brighton thus far in 2022–23 and our assessment of the Italian's ability to guide them toward playing in Europe this year.

Playing style: 4-2-3-1

Despite Graham Potter's intricacy at Brighton, De Zerbi has remained mostly orthodox in his use of the 4-2-3-1 formation. Graham Potter used a 3-4-2-1 formation when the Italian first entered the game, but the club now appears to be comfortable with that back-four.

Pascal Groß being converted into a right-back, a position he very seldom played for Potter, has been De Zerbi's most intriguing decision so far. Groß, an aggressive midfielder who began the season playing brilliantly well up and down those right-half areas, has only improved his scoring performance in his new fullback position.

De Zerbi has remained mostly orthodox in his use of the 4-2-3-1 formation

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As he gallops and gallivants up the left flank, Pervis Estupián, who has been a more apparent starter down the left, plays like a true wing-back. Lewis Dunk and Adam Webster, two superb, tall, and imposing defenders, form a strong combination between the two experimental fullbacks.

Due to Webster's recent injury, Levi Colwill has joined the team. He has shown himself to be completely at ease executing De Zerbi's possession-heavy philosophies. Joel Veltman continues to be an important leader whenever the club plays in a back-three because of his versatility as a right-wing-back or right-center-back. In the event that De Zerbi decides to bring the adaptable Groß back into midfield, this makes him handy in a defensive four as well.

Groß, an aggressive midfielder who began the season playing brilliantly

The only player for the Seagulls to have played every single minute of this season is Spain's "Sweeper Keeper," Robert Sanchez, who is positioned behind the defensive line. The Spaniard is superb out of the back and rushes out from his line while making clever tactical choices. He will continue to be important as Brighton works to shore up their defense and make sure they don't need to score a lot of goals to win.

"Sweeper Keeper," Robert Sanchez, who is positioned behind the defensive line

De Zerbi's started the pairing of Moisés Caicedo and Alexis Mac Allister in midfield in all games save the most recent one. Finding a method to make the most of Caicedo's amazing shuttle energy while preventing him from being forced into a purely defensive duty has been a lovely concoction of genius from the Graham Potter era. It has been a stroke of brilliance to play next to an assertive "6" who also happens to be creative with the ball, and De Zerbi has obviously understood the importance of his midfield combination in dictating the game's tempo.

De Zerbi's started the pairing of Moisés Caicedo and Alexis Mac Allister in midfield in all games

Defensive principles

The pressing principles seemed a touch disorganized when Roberto De Zerbi first took charge. Their 3-4-2-1 changed all over the place, with players dispersed across several lines in no apparent sequence, from a 5-3-2 to a 4-4-2. It was enjoyable in a few aspects. De Zerbi's tactical preparations in defense, which is typically more of a regimented phase than a chaotic one, were also difficult to properly understand.

But more recently, Brighton has frequently lined up defensively in the manner that one would anticipate given their starting lineup. This defensive positioning changes in the 4-2-3-1 and 4-4-2 of the game. The most important factor, though, is how they press to stop the main players on the other team, not the form. Trent Alexander-Arnold was severely harmed by Moisés Caicedo starting in the first game against Liverpool. Despite his attempts to invert toward midfield to collect the ball, the Englishman was unable to free himself from the Ecuadorian's grip.

When pressing full-backs to the outside of center-backs in an effort to overload one side, the goal of limiting the opposition's key players and the tactical scheme might cause the forwards to spread far apart. The energy in their approach hasn't changed, even though it's obvious that the pressing still needs some fine-tuning. This was the prevailing sentiment during Graham Potter's tenure, and it was always likely to persist in the face of pressure and a dominant coach like De Zerbi.

Their 3-4-2-1 changed all over the place, with players dispersed across several lines

The other key area of the pitch that the Seagulls love to win the ball is in the wide areas, where they will often force traffic into their defensively overloaded traps. The diamonds and triangles are something that De Zerbi looks for all across the pitch, and the energy that the team envelops helps in quickly surrounding the ball players on the ball. It’s no surprise that Veltman and Estupiñán are the next top ball-winners, with the Ecuadorian at the most impressive 86% tackle rate.

The broad portions of the field, where they frequently push traffic into their defensively packed traps, are the second crucial section of the field where the Seagulls prefer to win the ball. De Zerbi searches for the diamonds and triangles all around the pitch, and the team's enthusiasm aids in swiftly encircling the players with the ball. It is hardly surprising that Veltman and Estupián, with the Ecuadorian having the most amazing 86% tackle rate, are the next-best ball winners.

Dunk, Webster, and Colwill already possess, as well as the dominant presence they inherently exude

It can be challenging to get past the Seagulls because of their positional awareness, which players like Dunk, Webster, and Colwill already possess, as well as the dominant presence they inherently exude. The midfielders collapse into the box to increase the pressure, and the two center-backs may even surround the same striker to increase the likelihood that they will win the header.

Attacking principles

Leandro Trossard has brought Brighton a lot of luck this season, so it would feel strange to begin any offensive section on Brighton without him. Believe it or not, the Belgian magician is right-footed, despite the fact that you probably expected me to use the phrase "left-footed" in the following few words.

Because of his excellent awareness of which foot to utilize at different times, he has developed the absolute habit of scoring goals with his left foot. Trossard's two-footed IQ was the subject of an entire investigation in Game of Numbers #7, but it bears repeating that he has scored (5) of his seven goals this season, or 71% of his total, with his weak foot. His frequent use of the left-half gaps, where he is frequently handed the ball in space on that side, has been the main cause of this oddity throughout his whole career to date. He always shoots with great force before he bulges the net, totally trusting himself to capitalize on these opportunities.

Leandro Trossard has brought Brighton a lot of luck this season

Now that the eulogy is over, De Zerbi also merits praise for the manner he has employed Trossard ever since his arrival. Using the Belgian as a lone center-forward up top to capitalize on his powerful running ability and precise finishing, De Zerbi has never been afraid to do so. Since Trossard has always been one of the early outlets in change, either channel may now benefit directly from his daring approach. The best use of Trossard's ball skills may be made possible by pairing him with a player who is as explosive, such as Mitoma, so that he can link up and create for others rather than just needing to be this direct goal-scoring danger in behind.

Trossard has always been more of the "Dynamic Dribbling" type

Trossard has always been more of the "Dynamic Dribbling" type, therefore his skill with the ball shouldn't be sacrificed in favor of his powerful running skills. With the manner he balanced the eleven, De Zerbi was able to establish this equilibrium, which has continued to get the best out of Trossard in the penalty area.

Brighton is still completely at ease with playing their way out and finding the openings

The specifics around De Zerbi and his build-up are now, which you have probably been wanting to see! Short passing out from the back, frequently accomplished by one-touch triangulations, has been De Zerbi's priority. By stopping on the ball and slowing the action, one player may trick the opponent into pressing harder, but Brighton is still completely at ease with playing their way out and finding the openings.

Concluding thoughts

Since moving to Brighton, Roberto De Zerbi hasn't had the best of starts, but the players are unmistakably enjoying themselves as they play thrilling, electrifying football, and the results are starting to show. Three victories out of nine aren't exactly what De Zerbi would have hoped for, but it also includes victories in three of the past four league games and an exhilarating victory against Arsenal in the league cup.

De Zerbi now strives for a second consecutive top-half finish for the club

As a result, Brighton continues to play successfully in a 4-2-3-1 configuration utilizing many of the same ideas and approaches from Potter's reign as manager. Leandro Trossard has been utilized to his full potential in front of the goal, and he has shown flexibility in dealing with both the opponent and his own team members by switching Pascal Groß to the right-back position. As De Zerbi now strives for a second consecutive top-half finish for the club, more thrilling outcomes and strategies are sure to come.

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