Barcelona loanee Ansu Fati facing three months out after suffering serious injury against Nottingham Forest

Barcelona loanee Ansu Fati’s injury has indeed dealt a significant blow to Roberto de Zerbi and his Brighton squad. The young Spanish forward’s absence, along with Tariq Lamptey’s injury, leaves De Zerbi with a depleted squad ahead of their crucial Europa League match against AEK Athens on Thursday.

Fati was forced to leave the pitch during the first half of Brighton’s hard-fought 3-2 victory over Nottingham Forest at the City Ground. Unfortunately, his time on the field lasted a mere 21 minutes before he was replaced by Joao Pedro, who capitalized on the opportunity by scoring two goals for the Seagulls. Despite this positive outcome, Fati’s injury raises concerns for Brighton’s campaign moving forward.

In a statement to the press prior to the AEK fixture, De Zerbi expressed his disappointment, confirming that both Fati and Lamptey would be sidelined for an extended period. He emphasized that the team’s focus now lies on the available players who can step up and contribute to their upcoming match. While uncertain about the outcome, De Zerbi asserted that they would fight relentlessly to secure a victory.

The significance of a win against AEK Athens cannot be understated for Brighton. Despite the challenges posed by a scarcity of key players, three points in this crucial encounter could potentially propel them to the top of Group B, especially if Marseille drop points against Ajax. It is undoubtedly a formidable task for the Premier League outfit, particularly with the absence of Danny Welbeck, Solly March, and Pervis Estupinan, in addition to the recently injured Fati and Lamptey.

Brighton must remain vigilant and alert when they face the Greek side, as they suffered a 3-2 defeat in the reverse fixture at the Amex Stadium in September. Nonetheless, the Seagulls are currently enjoying an unbeaten streak in their last six matches. If they can maintain their impressive run of form, De Zerbi’s troops have a genuine opportunity to avenge their earlier loss and secure a vital victory.

Thus, despite the setbacks caused by injuries, Brighton remains determined to overcome the odds, demonstrate their resilience, and strive for success in the Europa League. The challenges they face only serve to enhance the team’s fighting spirit, as they aim to make their mark on the competition.