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Roberto De Zerbi hailed Brighton\u2019s last-gasp 1-0 victory over Marseille to top Europa League Group B as a \u201chistoric moment\u201d in the club\u2019s history.<\/p>\n
Joao Pedro smashed in an 89th-minute winner at the Amex Stadium to make sure the Seagulls avoided the play-off round and instead slotted straight into the last 16.<\/p>\n
Italian De Zerbi, who masterminded progressing from a group that included Ajax and AEK Athens along with the French 1993 European Cup winners, said: \u201cWe haven\u2019t won anything\u2026yet, but we are really happy and proud.<\/p>\n
\u201cI told the players before the game that the game was more important for us than them. Marseille are used to playing in European competitions.<\/p>\n
\u201cTo finish at the top of the table is a historical moment.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe atmosphere during the game was incredible. The crowd were a 12th player like I\u2019ve never seen before.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is important because we don\u2019t have to play an extra game.<\/p>\n
\u201cAfter going 2-0 down in Marseille in the first game, we changed everything and after that game we won four games in a row with four clean sheets in a row. That is incredible.\u201d<\/p>\n
De Zerbi dedicated the result to the players and fans of former club Foggia \u2013 who lost a Serie C title decider to Gennaro Gattuso-managed Pisa in 2016.<\/p>\n
His revenge on the now Marseille boss came courtesy of Joao Pedro \u2013 who ended the group stage with six goals and the competition\u2019s leading scorer.<\/p>\n
The Brazilian was threaded through by Pascal Gross before skipping past a tackle and thumping into the top corner, making the Amex erupt and De Zerbi jump into the crowd.<\/p>\n
De Zerbi said of his goalscorer: \u201cJoao is playing very well. He is becoming a great player in mentality \u2013 which playing for his national team has helped.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe qualities of Joao are clear. We want to help him become a great player.\u201d<\/p>\n
Joao Pedro added: \u201cI\u2019m very happy. These are the best moments of my life. Thank you to my team-mates, they always support me.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m very happy to be top scorer in the Europa League. To be top of the table, in the league or top scorer, you need to keep going through hard work.\u201d<\/p>\n
Marseille just needed a draw to avoid a play-off match against one of the teams that finished third in the Champions League.<\/p>\n
Jonathan Clauss and Amine Harit both hit the woodwork before the visitors parked the bus, only to be undone by Brighton\u2019s late winner.<\/p>\n
Boss Gattuso said: \u201cWe knew what type of match this would be. We knew what level Brighton play at and the quality they have.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe prepared to face them but their level of quality was too strong.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe didn\u2019t lack courage but it is the quality in the end that showed.\u201d<\/p>\n