On January 5th, Brighton and Arsenal drew 1-1 in the 20th round of the English Premier League. After the match, Brighton manager Hülzeler gave a detailed analysis of the match in an exclusive interview on Radio 5.
Hülzeler began by expressing his dissatisfaction with his team's performance: "For several games in a row, I have emphasized that we could have won, but that was the case again today. It's frustrating for us. We couldn't maintain a consistent performance, couldn't keep the pressure on the opponents, and couldn't maintain the intensity of the second half for the whole game. We were not clear and bold enough when it came to capitalizing on goal-scoring opportunities. We must strive to improve, reflect deeply, and realize that we are unaccountable for the outcome of the game."
However, Hülzeler also saw the positive side of his team, "Arsenal didn't create too many scoring chances, and their goal came from just one shot on target. This shows that we are still making a difference on the defensive end, but we have to improve on our consistency to win more games."
Speaking about the controversial penalty call, Hülzeler made it clear: "It was clearly a penalty and the referee made the right call."
When it comes to the heart of the team, João Pedro, Hülzeler speaks extremely highly of him: "He went through a low point, but we always believed in him. He's one of our leaders, a core member of the leadership group. Today Dunk was injured and he stepped up to captain the team, showing his strength and leadership. Not only did he score goals, but more importantly, he showed how to lead this young team forward. He's an example of what it takes, whether it's effort on defense, rebounding or getting back quickly, he's done a great job."
Regarding the upcoming matches, Hürzeler said that the team needs to work harder: "We want the team to be in better shape and sharper, so we have to reach new heights both physically and mentally. It will take a concerted effort from all our players and staff to train and prepare hard for the challenges ahead."
