European Football · Saturday, August 29, 2026
Brighton and global preparation: the price of absence
Roberto De Zerbi denounces the physical condition of his players, penalized by international commitments and the trip to Australia.
By Editorial team
Brighton is paying the price for absences linked to the 2026 World Cup qualifiers and the early trip to Australia. Roberto De Zerbi pointed to the poor physical condition of Jan Paul van Hecke, Marcos Senesi and Sandro Tonali after the 3-0 debacle against Brentford. The new recruits are struggling to find their level following international commitments. This heavy calendar is directly impacting the preparation for the English season.