Watch more of our videos on ShotsTV.com
and on Freeview 262 or Freely 565
Visit Shots! now
Fabian Hurzeler said he understands what Brighton’s rivalry with Crystal Palace means for the fans – after he got a taste of it first-hand last season.
Hurzeler, 31, was in attendance at Selhurst Park for the 1-1 draw between the Eagles and the Seagulls on December 21, 2023.
Club legend Pascal Gross was the man who secured a ticket for the former St Pauli boss – as he got a first glimpse of some of the players he would be managing this season.
Speaking about the rivalry in his pre-match press conference, Hurzeler said: “Luckily I visited the game between Crystal Palace and Brighton in Palace last season.
Fabian Hurzeler said he understands what Brighton’s rivalry with Crystal Palace means for the fans – after he got a taste of it first-hand last season. Photo: Charlie Crowhurst / Getty ImagesFabian Hurzeler said he understands what Brighton’s rivalry with Crystal Palace means for the fans – after he got a taste of it first-hand last season. Photo: Charlie Crowhurst / Getty Images
Fabian Hurzeler said he understands what Brighton’s rivalry with Crystal Palace means for the fans – after he got a taste of it first-hand last season. Photo: Charlie Crowhurst / Getty Images
"I saw the game live and I experienced it: how the rivalry is, how the mood is between the two clubs and I experienced also some big
derbies before.
"I know what it means for the fans. I know what it means for the club. In the end it’s only about three points, but on top of that it’s about the meaning of the game, especially for the fans.
"I think everyone in the building knows the meaning [of the game] so I don’t have to artificially emphasise it, and that’s not my way of working anyway.
"My way of working is to prepare the team the best we can like we do every other game. We have a lot of experienced players in the squad. They know how important this game is for the club, how important it is for the fans.”
The rivalry between the clubs started in the 1970s following a row between then Brighton manager Alan Mullery and his counterpart Terry Venables.
The intense rivalry sometimes leads to crowd trouble – and Hurzeler is urging fans to avoid using violence.
"We don’t need any violence,” he said. “It’s a football game, a football game with more emotion than than a normal game but a football game.
"You can cheer for your team, you can support your team, but in the end it should be without any violence.
“If you win, it’s always enjoyable. I think emotions are part of the game but what I always say is that everything should happen with respect for each other.”
Hurzeler said the fans will play an important part at the Amex on Sunday (December 15).
He explained: “They are always there for us – our 12th man. I love the support from them. I love their feeling for the team.
“They know when the team suffers a little bit, but they are there with their support and that’s something that is incredible, not only at home but also when we are away.
“It’s up to us to give them the win, to give them something back for the support, for the travel, for the time they invest every day or every weekend for us.”
Hurzeler revealed Joel Veltman has a ‘50-50’ chance of playing in this match, adding: We have for wait the next two days.”
The German gave Jack Hinshelwood a ‘40-60’ chance of playing, whilst Ferdi Kadioglu is less likely at ‘20-80’. James Milner is still unlikely to feature, too, at ‘10-90’.
On Solly March, who has been out since October 2023, Hurzeler said: “He is getting closer. He could be a possible option. But we need to be really patient with him now.
“He has had a full training week and he’s doing well. He is pushing to be an option for the squad. And now it’s about talking with the medical staff about what is the right moment to integrate him. He needs to be prepared for the Premier League and after being injured for such a long time we have to be careful and take care of his health, although I know that he’s really pushing.”
Continue Reading