Roberto De Zerbi returns to Italy for Brighton’s fairytale tie with Roma | Ed Aarons

‘Genius’ manager is back in his homeland as his side’s remarkable progress leads them to Rome

Brighton’s European adventure will once again tread new ground this week but not Roberto De Zerbi. While the chairman, Tony Bloom, was among the 3,500 fans who have made the pilgrimage to the Eternal City for Thursday’s Europa League tie against Roma, a first meeting with Serie A opposition, their manager is no stranger to Italian stadiums and returns to his homeland with his stock higher than ever.

No matter that Brighton have gone three games without a win and come into the Europa League last‑16 tie with several absences through injury including their star winger Kaoru Mitoma. It is their manager who is the visitors’ main attraction, although De Zerbi rejected his opposite number Daniele De Rossi’s description of him as “a genius” when he held court at the Stadio Olimpico on Wednesday evening. Continue reading...

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