Fabian Hurzeler has made a significant impact since taking over from Roberto de Zerbi at Brighton and Hove Albion, guiding the team to seventh place in the Premier League, ahead of their next match against Aston Villa.
Brighton have continued to impress under Hurzeler, whose bold approach has seen them tweak De Zerbi's tactics to extract even more from the team's talented squad.
The young German coach has introduced key principles, one being overloading the opposition's last line of defense with attackers and midfielders. This strategy helps Brighton push defensive lines deeper and keep their opposition pinned, increasing their numbers inside the penalty area, making it easier to find a scoring opportunity.
Hurzeler's tactics have proven to be a success, as Brighton ranked high up in the league for multiple pressing metrics per match, including pressures in the final third, pressed sequences, and counter pressures.
Crucial to Brighton's success has been the performance of defender Jan Paul van Hecke, who is a reliable defender and possesses the ability to find his teammates between the opposing lines to quickly transition from defense to attack. Van Hecke also leads the league in the number of progressive carries per match.
In the midfield, Carlos Baleba has been a standout player, combining athleticism and technique to become a unique threat in the middle of the park. Baleba recovers possession from opposition attackers more often than any other Brighton outfielder, averaging 6.53 possessions won per match. He also ranks fifth among his teammates for progressive carries, with 10.39 per match.
Brighton's time spent during possession sequences has reduced, from being as high as 13.44 seconds last season to now being 10.47 seconds. Hurzeler wants them to move the ball quicker and attack with intensity.
The Seagulls have been found out by teams a couple of times, but they are currently on an unbeaten run of seven matches in all competitions. They face Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup quarter-finals next, with a spot in the last four at Wembley at stake.
Fabian Hurzeler's direct tactics have helped Brighton continue to soar in the Premier League, currently sitting seventh in the table. The team's success can be attributed to their improved defensive coverage, quicker attacks, and the performances of key players such as Jan Paul van Hecke and Carlos Baleba. As they prepare for the FA Cup quarter-finals against Nottingham Forest, Brighton will look to continue their impressive form and potentially secure a spot in the last four at Wembley.
Source: BBC Sports Football
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