![](\"https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/static-assets\/images\/newsletter\/football\/football-thumb\/football-thumb.png\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Roberto De Zerbi congratulated his Brighton players in the dressing room for their performance despite losing 3-2 to AEK Athens on their European debut.<\/p>\n
Despite dominating the ball and dictating the shape of the game in wet and difficult conditions at the Amex Stadium, Brighton were undone by an AEK side who made the best of what little they created and were clinical when their moments came.<\/p>\n
First, the right-back Djibril Sidibe dashed into the box unmarked at a corner and flew into a superb diving header that nestled in the corner.<\/p>\n
It was a lead they twice should have doubled when striker Levi Garcia went through on goal, first denied by goalkeeper Jason Steele then sliding the ball beyond the post as two glorious chances were wasted.<\/p>\n
Brighton hit back through a penalty from Joao Pedro after a VAR check, the same means by which they levelled for a second time after the break. In between, Mijat Gacinovic had restored AEK\u2019s lead, sliding in at a free-kick to finish from near the penalty spot.<\/p>\n
![](\"https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/2022\/11\/30\/15\/GettyImages-1388382959%20copy.jpg\")
\n![](\"https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/2022\/12\/01\/03\/GettyImages-1245251240.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
Brighton were missing the injured Lewis Dunk in defence and his absence was felt again when substitute Ezequiel Ponce was given space on the counter-attack to win it for the Greek champions late on.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe conceded three goals,\u201d said De Zerbi. \u201cTwo goals in set pieces and one incredible goal, the third. We made some mistakes in the (final third) of the pitch, for example the chance of Joao Pedro in the second half, or the chance for Igor in the first half. But in terms of quality of play we played a very good game, I think.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m really proud for the performance. I think we showed not the right experience, or maybe not the same experience as AEK Athens.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut for the rest I think we played with personality and with the right attitude. We controlled the game, we dominated the game. And we are sad for the result.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are sad because we couldn\u2019t make happy our fans, ourselves, our club. But we have to analyse the performance and the performance was good.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe can learn. We have to learn. We can improve, but it\u2019s difficult to accept this defeat. I congratulated the players 10 minutes ago, because I can\u2019t be happy when we win at Old Trafford and sad today if the performances are both good performances.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have to know, and we knew before the game, that AEK had two situations where they could score; set-pieces and counter-attack. And when we\u2019re defending set-pieces against this team, we have to be more focused, more with the right attitude, more smart to defend the set-pieces.\u201d<\/p>\n
De Zerbi confirmed that Dunk and striker Evan Ferguson had been ruled out of contention earlier on Thursday.<\/p>\n
\u201cDunk couldn\u2019t play because after the game with Man United he felt a problem,\u201d he added. \u201cThis afternoon Evan had a temperature, he is ill.\u201d<\/p>\n
AEK manager Matias Almeyda reflected on a win which he hoped will help cement his team\u2019s reputation as a serious European force this season.<\/p>\n
![](\"https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/2023\/09\/21\/23\/a23a9a1c9483dd5289c8d16e51e9b44bY29udGVudHNlYXJjaGFwaSwxNjk1NDIwMTk0-2.73818624.jpg\")
\n![](\"https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/2023\/09\/21\/22\/05468339f59e89008b42d3dcccbe5ca9Y29udGVudHNlYXJjaGFwaSwxNjk1NDA2MDYx-2.73771328.jpg\")
\n![](\"https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/2023\/09\/21\/21\/21-487185255aff467f8e42e3685e2bd9c1.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
\u201cWe work on the basis of playing a type of football based on team work,\u201d he said. \u201cI live my life the way I manage the team. I like to respect people and I like to be respected. We want to be respected in Europe and we wanted to get a result to gain that respect.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have been working together for over a year. We came here in order to play our usual game. The opposition on a number of occasions forced us to play a different kind of game. But it\u2019s spirit of the team, a fighting spirit, and that\u2019s what we have managed to achieve. To keep on fighting.\u201d<\/p>\n