{"id":293702,"date":"2023-09-23T22:36:58","date_gmt":"2023-09-23T22:36:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportstons.com\/?p=293702"},"modified":"2023-09-23T22:36:58","modified_gmt":"2023-09-23T22:36:58","slug":"day-by-day-behind-the-scenes-during-an-eventful-week-at-brighton","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportstons.com\/soccer\/day-by-day-behind-the-scenes-during-an-eventful-week-at-brighton\/","title":{"rendered":"Day-by-day behind the scenes during an eventful week at Brighton"},"content":{"rendered":"<h1>Brighton&#8217;s secret? Quiet hotels, an unbeatable algorithm and SEVEN flavours of porridge! From the chef to the spa, board room to dressing room, Mail Sport was granted unrivalled access to the Seagulls&#8217; historic week<\/h1>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Mail Sport takes you behind the scenes during an eventful week at Brighton\u00a0<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>Nick Harris was given unrivalled access to Roberto De Zerbi and his methods\u00a0<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>The Seagulls beat Manchester United before hosting their first European game<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Mail Sport&#8217;s Nick Harris was given unrivalled access to Brighton and Hove Albion during the club&#8217;s historic week that saw them beat Manchester United and play their first-ever European game.<\/p>\n<p>From the chef to the spa, board room to dressing room, nowhere was off limits as the Seagulls lifted the lid on the operation that has taken them from a newly-promoted team to a club challenging English football&#8217;s elite.<\/p>\n<p>Here, Mail Sport reveals how each day unfolded for Roberto De Zerbi&#8217;s side as they pummelled United at Old Trafford and welcome AEK Athens to the south coast.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/i.dailymail.co.uk\/1s\/2023\/09\/23\/21\/75767167-12552477-image-a-14_1695499857306.jpg\" height=\"456\" width=\"634\"><\/p>\n<p>Mail Sport were given unprecedented access to Brighton, spending an entire week with them<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/i.dailymail.co.uk\/1s\/2023\/09\/23\/21\/75767069-12552477-image-a-1_1695499434721.jpg\" height=\"476\" width=\"634\"><\/p>\n<p>The Seagulls are becoming the envy of European football with their bold vision and strategy<\/p>\n<p><span>Friday, September 15<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Final training session before the game at Manchester United. The mood is upbeat before a week in which Brighton will play the first European match in their 122-year-history.<\/p>\n<p>Manager Roberto De Zerbi says he\u2019s thrilled to be going to Old Trafford but won\u2019t be going \u2018as a tourist\u2019. The squad and staff board a coach to Gatwick, fly to Manchester and are driven to their hotel. Dinner is at 7pm and live coverage of Brighton\u2019s under-21s match against Villa is screened as they tuck into chicken, salad, pasta, and rice pudding.<\/p>\n<p>The club\u2019s new chef, Will, has travelled with the team to oversee the meals, and as one of several new arrivals is called on by club captain Lewis Dunk to sing a song of his choice for his club initiation. He bangs out \u2018My Way\u2019 by Frank Sinatra.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/i.dailymail.co.uk\/1s\/2023\/09\/23\/21\/75767163-12552477-image-m-13_1695499830358.jpg\" height=\"426\" width=\"634\"><\/p>\n<p>Ansu Fati, who is on loan from Barcelona, sang a Spanish song for his Brighton initiation<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/i.dailymail.co.uk\/1s\/2023\/09\/23\/21\/75767077-12552477-image-a-8_1695499556866.jpg\" height=\"299\" width=\"306\"><\/p>\n<p>Ansu Fati, 20, the on-loan wonderkid from Barcelona, sings a Spanish pop hit, but not not before addressing the room with a lovely speech in fluent English about how grateful he is for the opportunity to play at this club.<\/p>\n<p>Brazilian centre-half Igor Julio sings in Portuguese, while Cameroon\u2019s Carlos Baleba and Cal, the (new) kitman, also have to sing forIt their supper. The squad camaraderie is evident.<\/p>\n<p>At half-time in the U21s, the players are called into a 45-minute team meeting with De Zerbi. There is no prescriptive time for bed but most of the squad head to their rooms to chill and then sleep. The backroom staff have a pint or a coke in the bar.<\/p>\n<p><span>Saturday, September 16<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Breakfast \u2014 cereal, fruit, eggs \u2014 is available 8am-10am. There\u2019s no set time the players need to be there, or even that they have to be. \u2018Roberto is big on trust,\u2019 says one of those who work closely with him. \u2018He knows his players understand they need to eat right, look after themselves, be ready, but he\u2019s not going to tell them what time to eat breakfast.\u2019<\/p>\n<p>There\u2019s a final pre-match meeting before lunch around noon, fundamentally the same as dinner last night. Brighton travel on two coaches to Old Trafford, and win 3-1, their fourth consecutive league win over United. Danny Welbeck, Pascal Gross and Joao Pedro all score. Ansu Fati and Evan Ferguson nearly do. Two other subs, James Milner (age 37, making a 630th Premier League career appearance), and Billy Gilmour (age 22 and playing a 54th) illustrate the variation on the bench. De Zerbi agrees his side could have had more goals: eight of their 10 shots had been on target.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/i.dailymail.co.uk\/1s\/2023\/09\/23\/14\/75759137-0-image-a-13_1695476731097.jpg\" height=\"445\" width=\"634\"><\/p>\n<p>Pascal Gross was on the scoresheet in Brighton&#8217;s impressive win versus Manchester United<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/i.dailymail.co.uk\/1s\/2023\/09\/23\/14\/75759253-0-image-a-14_1695476785981.jpg\" height=\"473\" width=\"634\"><\/p>\n<p>Roberto De Zerbi was delighted with how his Brighton team performed at Old Trafford<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/i.dailymail.co.uk\/1s\/2023\/09\/23\/14\/75759259-0-image-m-16_1695476858788.jpg\" height=\"605\" width=\"634\"><\/p>\n<p>A host of Japanese fans waited for Brighton&#8217;s\u00a0Kaoru Mitoma after the game against United<\/p>\n<p>As Brighton go to board their coach afterwards, hundreds are watching, among them perhaps 30 Japanese fans, to see Kaoru Mitoma. The midfielder signs autographs for them for 5-10 minutes. A time limit has been set for his own good; after the season\u2019s first match, a 4-1 home win against Luton, he\u2019d played the full 90 minutes plus added time, then signed autographs for almost another 90.<\/p>\n<p>On the way to the airport, chef Will Carvalho oversees a meal service designed for optimal refuelling. There are two buses, a chef on each to dish up either chicken teriyaki with rice, beef stew with potatoes or chicken cannelloni, followed by banana bread, and a selection of fruit and yoghurt. Take-off is about 7.30pm and the players are back to the training ground before 10pm to collect their cars.<\/p>\n<p><span>Sunday, September 17<\/span><\/p>\n<p>De Zerbi decided on Friday he would have the players in for Sunday training regardless of the United result and give them Monday off. He wants to work particularly with those who hadn\u2019t featured on Saturday, having had limited time with his squad after the international break. So they all report to base by 9am, and have breakfast, and a warm-down. De Zerbi gives a short briefing, telling his players: \u2018The challenge this season will be to forget the game just finished, and focus on the next. Now it\u2019s AEK Athens.\u2019<\/p>\n<p>Training is from 11.15am to 12.30pm. Lunch is served for those who want it before any treatments or massage required. Everyone is free to leave but quite a few opt to \u2018do their own thing in the gym\u2019. Milner is one who generally takes this option.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/i.dailymail.co.uk\/1s\/2023\/09\/23\/21\/75767071-12552477-image-a-9_1695499589658.jpg\" height=\"845\" width=\"634\"><\/p>\n<p>Training is from 11.15am to 12.30pm on Sunday with lunch is served for those who want it<\/p>\n<p><span>Monday, September 18<\/span><\/p>\n<p>In the stadium control room, club staff are refining how the stadium scoreboard will look on Thursday, making sure it will meet exacting UEFA standards. Hoardings featuring Brighton sponsors are removed or covered up to be replaced by UEFA sponsor messaging. UEFA \u2018take ownership\u2019 of competing clubs\u2019 grounds, installing UEFA branded press and mix-zone areas. Brighton\u2019s 84-page match day programme for Thursday has had to gain the explicit approval of UEFA, every page of it. It\u2019s been given the green light.<\/p>\n<p>European competition will be a filip for Brighton\u2019s finances. Russ Wood first went to watch the Seagulls aged six in the Nineties when they were still at the Goldstone Ground. He has worked his way up via the finance department to be the commercial manager. When he was born in 1989, Brighton were a second tier club and they have been down to the fourth and back up to the top, and Europe. Which is why he now finds himself doing deals such as the American Express 10-year \u00a380million principal sponsor deal, plus arrangements with Nike and Snickers, a tier of international partners and another one of local businesses.<\/p>\n<p>His job is to generate new revenues, work with club partners, and oversee retail and events (conferences and concerts). \u2018Every week I walk around the club and find a new space to make work for us.\u2019<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/i.dailymail.co.uk\/1s\/2023\/09\/23\/14\/75759033-0-image-a-11_1695476574758.jpg\" height=\"423\" width=\"634\"><\/p>\n<p>Brighton had to refine how their stadium looked ahead of their Europa League involvement<\/p>\n<p>Brighton are especially proud their Tunnel Club hospitality space, which houses 60 people per match. The enjoy fine dining cooked by Masterchef Professionals winner Steve Edwards then sit in padded, heated seats on the halfway line. They pay \u00a33,000 a season just to be a member of the tunnel club and \u00a311,000 on top for domestic matches. The venture grosses about \u00a31m a year.<\/p>\n<p>\u2018You\u2019ll get better value sponsoring Brighton than any other club in the Premier League,\u2019 says Wood. \u2018We\u2019re credible, well run and our USP is you still get the personal touch.\u2019<\/p>\n<p>The attention the club have had in recent years means Wood is peppered with questions all the time. \u2018I can be at my golf club teeing off at 7am on a Sunday and there will be people shouting questions at me \u2026 and it\u2019s possible because we have the best ownership and the best leadership in world football.\u2019<\/p>\n<p>That \u2018ownership\u2019 is Tony Bloom, 53, as well known for his entrepreneurship as his success at poker and as a professional gambler. The \u2018leadership\u2019 comes from Bloom and his club\u2019s CEO Paul Barber. They know they cannot go toe to toe in spending with the biggest clubs so try to buy low, nurture talent and sell high. They pay prudently, and incentivise cleverly. They don\u2019t take risks with reputation.<\/p>\n<p><span>Tuesday, September 19<\/span><\/p>\n<p>I am watching goalkeeper training at Brighton\u2019s \u00a330m state-of-the training ground, 12 miles west of the city centre. It has a spa that wouldn\u2019t be out of place in a six-star hotel and a shower room where you can request the water pours like \u2018Tropical Rain\u2019, \u2018Cold Mist\u2019 or \u2018Caribbean Storm\u2019.<\/p>\n<p>There are umpteen pristine pitches, a huge gym, several fancy canteens and a massive climbing wall, apparently originally installed to help the keepers improve hand strength.<\/p>\n<p>Jason Steele and Bart Verbruggen will share first-team goalkeeping duties this season. The 33-year-old Englishman and the 21-year-old Dutchman, signed for \u00a316.3m this summer, have been told they will both get Premier League and European games this season. It\u2019s no big deal at the club having two first-choice goalkeepers.<\/p>\n<p>Perhaps more interesting is how De Zerbi sees keepers in general, goalkeeping coach Jack Stern tells me. \u2018He doesn\u2019t see them as different, he sees them as he sees every player, with a vital role in the style we play, like any outfielder. And he gives them lots of information just as he gives all the players information. More than at any club I\u2019ve been at.\u2019<\/p>\n<p>Stern, who spent years at West Brom as a coach and a decade in America\u2019s MLS, drew up a long list of 50-plus keepers before Verbruggen was among about six on a shortlist. De Zerbi wants his keepers to meet specific criteria: being comfortable with the ball at their feet; have an ability to spot space, and deliver to that space; to recognise overloads, and deal with that; and have ability to draw pressure, or on other words lure a player to them, then pass around them and take them out of play.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/i.dailymail.co.uk\/1s\/2023\/09\/23\/21\/75767073-12552477-image-a-10_1695499639461.jpg\" height=\"476\" width=\"634\"><\/p>\n<p>The training ground boasts a spa facility that wouldn\u2019t be out of place in a six-star hotel<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/i.dailymail.co.uk\/1s\/2023\/09\/23\/21\/75767075-12552477-image-a-11_1695499660181.jpg\" height=\"845\" width=\"634\"><\/p>\n<p>Players can request the water pours like \u2018Tropical Rain\u2019, \u2018Cold Mist\u2019 or \u2018Caribbean Storm\u2019<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/i.dailymail.co.uk\/1s\/2023\/09\/23\/14\/75758987-0-image-a-10_1695476344452.jpg\" height=\"423\" width=\"634\"><\/p>\n<p>Jason Steele is set to share goalkeeping duties for Brighton with Bart Verbruggen<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/i.dailymail.co.uk\/1s\/2023\/09\/23\/20\/75758973-12552477-De_Zerbi_who_signed_Verbruggen_this_summer_sees_goalkeepers_as_l-a-8_1695496144071.jpg\" height=\"425\" width=\"634\"><\/p>\n<p>De Zerbi, who signed Verbruggen this summer, sees goalkeepers as like outfield players<\/p>\n<p>They need these attributes to play the De Zerbi way, passing out from the back, always. Brighton\u2019s keepers have take a total of zero long goal-kicks this season.<\/p>\n<p>After training, Steele and Verbruggen get a 40-minute video briefing on Tuesday about AEK Athens, which is long compared with most keeper briefings.<\/p>\n<p>Stern gives two examples of how integral goalkeepers are to De Zerbi\u2019s need for tactical flexibility and technical ability to assist that. At United on Saturday, the hosts played an unexpected narrow midfield diamond quartet. It was no longer possible for Steele to past to a centre-half who in turn could pass forward: the diamond was too narrow. So De Zerbi \u2018split\u2019 his two central defenders, making each move wider. Then Steele needed to pass at a greater angle to them, and in turn them around the outside of the diamond. \u2018Roberto is at a different level in things like that,\u2019 says Stern.<\/p>\n<p>There was a game last season, Stern tells me, when an opposing team got the better of Brighton via a high, consistent press. And won.<\/p>\n<p>\u2018We knew we could try to play through that press,\u2019 he says. But instead De Zerbi noted the opponents\u2019 press left them vulnerable to counter-attacks. The next time they met Brighton changed tactically to address that, via long accurate keeper distribution, and won.<\/p>\n<p><span>Wednesday, September 20<\/span><\/p>\n<p>The players emerge for training not long after 11am and do some sprint drills and tight passing games before outside observers are ushered away as the final preparations are made for AEK Athens. The historic game day is drawing closer and when I sit down with Barber, he explains what is making him appreciate how far the club has come.<\/p>\n<p>\u2018Just walking through the stadium and seeing the UEFA branding and signage, small things like that resonate,\u2019 he says. \u2018When I joined the club, in the Championship in 2012, the aim was to get into the Premier League, so to have gone beyond that already is amazing.\u2019<\/p>\n<p>Most people by now know about \u2018the Brighton way\u2019, most obviously brilliant recruitment, of players and managers. Barber also wants to stress advances have been made via \u2018resilience through setbacks\u2019.<\/p>\n<p>He gives the example of the 2015-16 season when his club lost in the Championship play-off semi-finals to Sheffield Wednesday after finishing third in the table.<\/p>\n<p>\u2018The day after failing to get up, we called a board meeting to see what we could do better,\u2019 he says. \u2018We agreed that our vision, strategy, staff and practices were all OK but if we could just improve a little bit in every area, we\u2019ll get there.\u2019<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/i.dailymail.co.uk\/1s\/2023\/09\/23\/16\/75761861-12552477-image-a-52_1695483431736.jpg\" height=\"423\" width=\"634\"><\/p>\n<p>CEO Paul Barber is proud of Brighton&#8217;s progress but is eager for further steps forward<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/i.dailymail.co.uk\/1s\/2023\/09\/23\/14\/75758889-0-image-a-4_1695475933617.jpg\" height=\"443\" width=\"634\"><\/p>\n<p>The Brighton players are put through their paces in training ahead of the AEK Athens game<\/p>\n<p>What sort of area could be improved upon? He gives an example of a particular hotel used for an away game that was in a slightly noisier location than anticipated. Maybe a slightly quieter part of town would provide slightly better rest, and a slightly better performance, which could be significant.<\/p>\n<p>Off the pitch the Europa League will help Brighton to the next level: via more matches, more revenue, higher profile, and in turn more sponsorship opportunities. Brighton\u2019s wage budget is about the 16th biggest of 20 in the league; they finished last season sixth but Barber insists there is no room for complacency. \u2018Stand still and someone else will coming streaming past you and be ahead of you in no time and impossible to catch.\u2019<\/p>\n<p>After the failed 2016 play-off campaign, Barber introduced a bonus scheme for all staff, from the kit man and groundsman to the heads of each department and everyone in between.<\/p>\n<p>Staff were told they could all get a 20 per cent bonus if club went up, 10 per cent guaranteed upon promotion, and up to 10 per cent more if, during an appraisal, you could demonstrate you\u2019d done your job well and been a good colleague.<\/p>\n<p>Up they went the following season. The bonus system remains. At first it was paid each year Brighton retained their PL status. Now it will be paid as long as Brighton finish in the top half.<\/p>\n<p>\u2018Succession planning is also really important to us,\u2019 he says. Barber has a document containing the names of at least one specific person he thinks could replace 25 of the most important people at the club, from the manager to the heads of each department and their key deputies.<\/p>\n<p>This list of replacement possibles are a mix of internal and external folk. It is an ever evolving list. Barber even has a contractual obligation to have replacements identified for himself. He says he currently has four names in mind, two internal and two external, who would work as his replacement. He won\u2019t name them but you have to assume they\u2019re as equally as brilliant on the detail as he is.<\/p>\n<p><span>Thursday, September 21<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Match day arrives. The first ever Brighton fixture in European competition. Excitement is building among the fans, many of whom are popping into the club shop to buy Europa League merch or other souvenirs.<\/p>\n<p>Claire Britton, a lifelong fan and season ticket holder, did her school work experience in the shop as a kid, and then part-time shop work there as teenager. She later joined the club full-time and has been head of retail since last year. She runs two club stores and the online business, stock control, licensing and staffing. She has a full-time team of 10 but on match days like today that rises to 45 people including casual till staff.<\/p>\n<p>Turnover on the retail side last season was several million pounds and already this season\u2019s takings are close to the whole of last season\u2019s and will probably be double last season\u2019s by May.<\/p>\n<p>About 70 per cent of retail takings are derived from the UK and the balance from overseas.<\/p>\n<p>The biggest overseas market now is Japan, thanks to Kaoru Mitoma, while the US, Australia and Germany are next, the latter due to Pascal Gross.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/i.dailymail.co.uk\/1s\/2023\/09\/23\/14\/75758855-0-image-a-2_1695475802298.jpg\" height=\"423\" width=\"634\"><\/p>\n<p>Brighton&#8217;s first European game ended in frustration with a 3-2 defeat against AEK Athens<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/i.dailymail.co.uk\/1s\/2023\/09\/23\/14\/75758873-0-image-a-3_1695475868665.jpg\" height=\"441\" width=\"634\"><\/p>\n<p>Although Joao Pedro scored two penalties, Brighton ended up losing against AEK Athens<\/p>\n<p>Mitoma is the best selling shirt, with Brighton captain Lewis Dunk in second place. The shop at the stadium sells 500-plus scarves each match day, along with hundreds of hats. Hoodies and leisurewear sell strongly around Christmas, as do Brighton gnomes. A range of Fatboy Slim leisurewear with Brighton\u2019s crest on it sold out in three weeks. The Hawaiian shirts, bucket hats, T-shirts amd hoodies were a nod to famous fan Norman Cook\u2019s tastes.<\/p>\n<p>\u2018This is the best period of time in the history of the,\u2019 says Briton. \u2018I was so excited to come to work this morning.\u2019<\/p>\n<p>The shop opened at 10am this morning and shut at 8pm as the game kicked off, and then reopened in the 80th minute of the match to catch fans leaving and keep sales rolling until 11pm.<\/p>\n<p>We have to cut our chat short because it\u2019s 10 minutes before kick-off in the AEK game. The team news isn\u2019t great: centre-half and captain Lewis Dunk is out injured. That proves telling as AEK take lead through a set-piece headed opener. Brighton equalise after a VAR decision leads to a Joao Pedro penalty. Another AEK set piece makes it 1-2 before another VAR penalty for Pedro makes it 2-2. A counter-attack break makes it 2-3 and despite their best efforts, Brighton can\u2019t equalise against despite 13 minutes of injury time. De Zerbi is happy with the performance and insists this was a good learning opportunity. The players will be back at the training ground tomorrow for a debrief.<\/p>\n<p><span>Friday, September 22<\/span><\/p>\n<p>The first sunny day of a miserably wet week in Brighton dawns with Roberto De Zerbi in a positive mood despite last night\u2019s defeat. \u2018Losing is part of football,\u2019 he says. \u2018We played a good game against a good team. In terms of the quality of play, I\u2019m happy. We made mistakes but not too many.<\/p>\n<p>\u2018We are sorry for the fans because yesterday was a historic day and we wanted to make everyone happy. But we can still be proud.\u2019<\/p>\n<p>He was asked a question about Jo\u00e3o Pedro, who scored two penalties last night and the questioner remarked on what a great season the Brazilian is having.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/i.dailymail.co.uk\/1s\/2023\/09\/23\/20\/75758825-12552477-De_Zerbi_says_he_is_waiting_for_England_rugby_star_Joe_Marler_to-a-7_1695496144056.jpg\" height=\"406\" width=\"634\"><\/p>\n<p>De Zerbi says he is waiting for England rugby star Joe Marler to come to the training ground<\/p>\n<p>\u2018No, I don\u2019t agree!\u2019 Said De Zerbi. \u2018He can play better with his team-mates and better in our style. He has incredible potential and I want everything from him.<\/p>\n<p>\u2018He needs to be smarter to attack the space&#8230; my work is to improve the players.\u2019<\/p>\n<p>De Zerbi was also asked about England rugby player Joe Marler, who made an accidental assist with his head against Japan and then tweeted he\u2019d taken inspiration from \u2018Roberto De Zerbi and his mighty Seagulls\u2019.<\/p>\n<p>De Zerbi said: \u2018I\u2019m honoured for his words and I\u2019m waiting for him to come to our training ground!\u2019<\/p>\n<p>De Zerbi\u2019s players had their warm-down and various treatments, and lunch, before heading home.<\/p>\n<p><span>Saturday, September 23<\/span><\/p>\n<p>The players come in for their pre-Bournemouth training session, bookended by breakfast and lunch. Last weekend was glorious. Thursday was a reality check. The mood is back on the up. Tomorrow they go again.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/i.dailymail.co.uk\/i\/pix\/2017\/08\/02\/636x90_facebook_ad_sport.png\" width=\"636\" height=\"90\"><br \/>\nSource: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dailymail.co.uk\/sport\/football\/article-12552477\/Brightons-secret-Quiet-hotels-unbeatable-algorithm-SEVEN-flavours-porridge-chef-spa-board-room-dressing-room-Mail-Sport-granted-unrivalled-access-Seagulls-historic-week.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Read Full Article<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Brighton&#8217;s secret? Quiet hotels, an unbeatable algorithm and SEVEN flavours of porridge! From the chef to the spa, board room <span class=\"more-text\">&hellip;<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":293701,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[19],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v21.8 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Day-by-day behind the scenes during an eventful week at Brighton - Sportstons<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/sportstons.com\/soccer\/day-by-day-behind-the-scenes-during-an-eventful-week-at-brighton\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Day-by-day behind the scenes during an eventful week at Brighton - Sportstons\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Brighton&#8217;s secret? Quiet hotels, an unbeatable algorithm and SEVEN flavours of porridge! 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