FK Kauno Zalgiris head coach Zeljko Sopic insists his side will not abandon their tactical identity when they take on Albion in the UEFA Conference League at the Amex tonight.
The fixture marks a historic milestone for the Lithuanian club as they prepare to test themselves against a Premier League team for the first time.
Acknowledging the task ahead, Sopic was candid about his team's status but remained optimistic about their chances.
“I understand that we are the underdog here, and probably from all the teams in the Conference League they give us very small chances to take some points,” Sopic admitted.
With little time to celebrate our Premier League victory at Coventry City at the weekend, Fabian Hurzeler and his coaching staff turn their attention to our opening UEFA Conference League match against Kauno Zalgiris on Thursday evening. Club photographer Paul Hazlewood was at the training ground to capture pictures from the session on Tuesday morning.
However, he drew immediate inspiration from past European upsets including a home leg 1-0 win over Turkish side Beskitas in UEFA Europa League play-off earlier this season.
“It was the same when we played against Beşiktaş. They didn't give us one percent that we could take something, and we beat them at home.
“I am very honoured that we can come on this pitch against Brighton. I understand the situation and know which moment Brighton is in. I watched their last three, four games, but you know in football everything is possible. We’ll give everything and at the end of the day we will see where we stand.”
Despite the prospect of facing Premier League opposition, Sopic was adamant that tactical shifts are off the table.
“We have our principles, how we play tactically,” he explained. “We will not change our style too much because I cannot change our style every three days. We have very important games in the league, and if you change everything every two or three days, then you will lose everything. Tomorrow will be the strongest possible eleven on the pitch.”
The squad trained at the Amex on Wednesday night and arrived fresh off a domestic cup final victory on Sunday, but celebrations were kept to a strict minimum amidst a gruelling run of four vital matches.
“We didn't celebrate too much," Sopic added. "We celebrated a little bit, one or two beers, and then we prepared for the game against Brighton."