Brighton manager Fabian Hürzeler has made it clear that he has no issue with the passion shown by the club’s supporters, even as tensions rise ahead of Chelsea’s visit to the Amex Stadium. With The Seagulls faithful expected to make their feelings known towards former goalkeeper Robert Sánchez, the German tactician was asked whether the hostility could fuel the visitors. His response was measured but unwavering.
“I think I’m not in a position to judge, manage behaviour. In the end, the fans support their club, and they love their club, and they do everything to support us, and therefore they also show if they are not happy with some things that happened in the past. And I think that’s right so I always, always support my supporters, and supporters from the club, and I’m always really, really happy if they make a loud atmosphere, if they bring energy towards the pitch. And that’s what I did the last time, and that’s what I always try to give us every home game. And in the end, it’s also our responsibility to give them something back,” he said.
The discussion took an interesting turn when comparisons were drawn to Real Madrid’s midweek clash with Manchester City, where Vinícius Júnior claimed City’s tifo of Rodri and the Ballon d’Or had only served to motivate him further. Could Brighton fans inadvertently push Chelsea to raise their game? Hürzeler acknowledged the possibility but made it clear that respect remains the key factor.
Embed from Getty Images“It could work against someone, but in the end, if everything stays respectful, and think that’s the main thing that you that respect the person, that respect each other, that you also respect what, for example, a former player for Brighton did for you as a club, then I think it’s all fine. And I think it’s very important that you don’t get a behavior that is disrespectful. And in the end, when I say everything stays, stays in a good behavior, stays with emotions, stays with more supporting your own team,” he said.
“Then I think it’s an advantage. If it’s getting too personal, then I agree with you that it might get in another direction. But the main thing is that we show the right reactions on the pitch, that we show the right performance, that we have the right mindset, and we have the right attitude towards the game, and then I think we can build, together with the crowd, the right atmosphere, the right energy to really have the big, big intensity we need to beat a team like Chelsea.”
With Brighton pushing for European qualification and Chelsea still finding their rhythm in an inconsistent season, the stakes are high. The Amex has proven to be an intimidating place for opposition sides, and Hürzeler will be counting on the supporters to make it an uncomfortable evening for Enzo Maresca’s men—without crossing the line.
It’s a fixture that carries weight beyond just three points. Brighton have developed an edge in recent years, a rivalry fuelled by transfers and touchline spats. This is no longer just a meeting of teams in blue; it’s a grudge match, and the Seagulls will want to make their presence felt. Whether the noise from the stands lifts Brighton to a statement victory or merely adds fire to Chelsea’s fightback remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the Amex will be bouncing.