Risky and Dangerous: Brighton and Hove Albion Boss Reveals Gamble That Put FA Cup Final in Jeopardy…
Brighton, May 16, 2025* — Brighton and Hove Albion manager Roberto De Zerbi has admitted that a bold tactical risk he took earlier in the FA Cup campaign nearly cost the Seagulls their dream of reaching the final at Wembley. In a candid interview ahead of Sunday’s final against Manchester United, De Zerbi opened up about a controversial decision he made during the quarterfinal clash against Wolves — a decision he now calls “risky and dangerous.”
“I knew it wasn’t the safest call,” De Zerbi said, referring to his choice to rest six first-team regulars in the tightly contested match against Wolverhampton Wanderers. “But we had just come off a gruelling run of fixtures, including a midweek Premier League match, and the players were exhausted. I had to make a judgment — protect them or push them.”
The Italian boss, known for his aggressive, possession-heavy football, said he opted to start several fringe players and academy graduates, trusting the depth he had built over the season. But for the first 70 minutes, Brighton looked second-best, trailing 1-0 and struggling to find rhythm.
“It looked like it was going to backfire. I won’t lie — there was a moment I thought, ‘This is it. We’ve thrown away our shot at Wembley,’” De Zerbi confessed. “But I also believed in the players we put out there. They’ve trained for this. They deserved that faith.”
It took a late double substitution, bringing on stars Kaoru Mitoma and Pascal Groß, to turn the game. Brighton equalized in the 78th minute before 19-year-old academy sensation Jack Hinshelwood scored a dramatic winner in stoppage time, sealing a 2-1 comeback victory and sending Brighton to their first FA Cup semifinal since 2019.
Now, as they prepare for their first final appearance in over four decades, De Zerbi says the risk, though nerve-wracking, was a turning point for the club.
“It showed the squad’s character. The young players proved they can step up, and that win bonded us tighter as a team. But yes, it could have gone horribly wrong.”
Brighton’s run to the final has been nothing short of inspiring, dispatching the likes of Chelsea and Aston Villa before the narrow Wolves escape. While critics questioned De Zerbi’s gamble, few can argue with the result.
Looking ahead to Sunday’s showdown at Wembley, De Zerbi remains calm but focused. “We are not tourists in the final. We are here to win. No risks this time — only commitment.”
Brighton fans will be hoping the manager’s calculated risks have all been taken, and that on the grandest domestic stage, the Seagulls can soar.
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