Brighton boss Roberto de Zerbi admits his side need to be smarter after Europa League loss to AEK Athens.
Former Everton defender Djibril Sidibie and Mijat Gacinovic scored the visitors' first two goals from set pieces and substitute Ezequiel Ponce got the winner on the counter attack six minutes from the end of normal time, though there was then an additional 13 minutes played..
"We have to be more focussed, with the right attitude and more smart to defend the set pieces," said De Zerbi. Brighton badly missed the influence of skipper Lewis Dunk, who reported a muscular problem in the aftermath of the Manchester United victory.Joao Pedro equalised twice, on both occasions from the penalty spot, but De Zerbi felt the Brazilian should have done better with a third opportunity that would have put the hosts ahead, instead firing against the goalkeeper.
With a trip to Marseille to come in a fortnight before back-to-back encounters with Ajax, Brighton have some work to do in order to get their qualification hopes back on track. "I am sad for result and sad because we couldn't make our fans, ourselves and the club happy. But the performance was good," De Zerbi added.
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