Fabian Hurzeler post-match Brighton 2-1 Manchester City

NicheSportMedia

Fabain Hurzeler reacts to Brighton's 2-1 win against Manchester City  31/08/2025  Amex Stadium, Brighton, UK

Transcript

00:30The substitutions changed the game, Fabio, and the total context of the game changed, didn't it, with your quarter of the substitutes?

00:45Yeah, but I think all it's very important to emphasise was the decision we made together,

00:51and of course the subs made the difference, but also the players who already stood on the pitch made the difference,

00:57because with four subs you don't change a game, you need 11 players who get affected by the subs,

01:04who get affected by their energy, their quality and their belief they brought on the pitch,

01:09and that's very important, it's always a togetherness, and in the end we were ready to suffer,

01:15but in the end we didn't accept it at Shaw, in the end we had to believe to win this game,

01:19and that's why I think in the end it's deserved.

01:22Mente was outstanding, wasn't it?

01:24Yeah, I think not only Mente, I just said in the locker room, I think our two centre-backs,

01:30they played a brilliant performance, they were very connected, they helped each other to defend the best striker in the world,

01:37so overall after wins you can always pick out individuals, but for me it's very important to emphasise we won this game together.

01:45When you made those subs, was it changing tactics or just changing personnel?

01:50Sometimes in football it's not about tactics, it's about understanding the profile from the player,

01:55it's about understanding what you need, and in this moment we needed energy, intensity and the belief to change the game,

02:02and the profiles from the players who came in with James, with Yasin, with Kruda and Rutta,

02:08they all have different profiles, for example Kruda and Rutta, they are very positive guys,

02:14they just enjoy to play together, like Yasin is always a guy who has to believe to win games,

02:21James Miller is a guy who brings energy and organisation into the group,

02:25so I think it's important to understand the profiles from the player and what you need in the moment.

02:29And there was about 83 minutes, there was an injury break, and I think maybe the whole team went over to you,

02:35is there a measure there that we can try not win this game, not just get to win?

02:39Yeah, that was the message. I think it's important that you spread the belief,

02:43but it's also important that the players have to believe on their own, and like I said,

02:46there are some players on the pitch, for example James Miller,

02:49he always has to believe, no matter against who you are playing, that you can win the game,

02:54and if you have these believers in your group, then you spread the belief to others,

02:59and then it's like a virus, a positive virus that goes into the other one, into your teammate,

03:05and then also to the crowd, I think also the crowd helped us a lot in the end,

03:09and then it's like one has the spark, and the spark has to be like a fire, and then you can create something.

03:16And with James, is he like almost a second coach on the field?

03:20Yeah, I think that's a good description, he transports my messages,

03:24he transports my values in the group, and therefore he proved today he's not only a great leader,

03:30also a player who takes responsibility in the right moments, but it's not only about him,

03:34the other great leaders, like I said, with Luis on the pitch, who played a great performance,

03:39with Jason, who's not playing there at the moment, as a starter, who's always there for the team,

03:44so I can mention a lot of leaders who are very helpful for me.

03:48As a tactician, as a leader, how satisfying is it for you to get another win at Manchester City

03:54and one of the greatest coaches?

03:57Of course, wins in the Premier League are always special,

04:00I always emphasise that Pep is one of the best managers in the world,

04:03so it's always a big challenge to face him, you always have new ideas,

04:07you need to adapt, you need to be ready to adapt to some ideas of him,

04:12but in the end it's the belief in our style of play,

04:15in the end it's the belief that we can beat everyone if we are on our highest level,

04:19if we are showing the highest standards, and that's something we have to continue doing.

04:24What do you mean, you're doing? Andy?

04:27Thank you!

04:28Yeah, you're always speaking together at Halftime, most during the games,

04:31and in some moments my body says something to me, I can't explain it,

04:35Yeah, you're always speaking together in half-time, mostly during the games,

04:47and in some moments, just my body says something to me, I can't explain it,

04:52like maybe you want that I explain it, but it's just sometimes a feeling that comes from inside of me.

04:58And then I think it's very important, it's not only in football,

05:00in general in life you need to have the courage to make decisions,

05:03because sometimes it goes well, sometimes you fail,

05:07but you always need the conviction in your decisions,

05:11you need to have the courage that you go afterwards home and say,

05:14alright, I did the decisions I wanted to do, I did the decisions like what we feel it's the right thing to do,

05:20so like I said, it's always a team togetherness, it's a decision we do together,

05:26and we have to stand always behind the decision, that's the main thing for me.

05:30Can you keep the Chinese clothing?

05:34Let's see, let's see, now against Oxford I wear my normal clothes, sometimes I wear this,

05:41so it's also how I feel, and maybe I adapt to the weather here sometimes,

05:47so it's good that we had to win, and sometimes there are some traditions you shouldn't break,

05:53so let's see what happens in the future, but you're taking care, so that's a very positive thing.

05:58You are alive, that's also what I demand from the players, to stay alive all the time.

06:02The decision was clear, so we have clear roads who will take the penalty,

06:09and I think if someone can come back after the injury he had,

06:14then you can only mention one person or one player, and that's James Muller.

06:19His mentality is something special, his mentality is something only really big achievers in life have,

06:24and it's something like the mentality inside of him, he always has the belief inside of him that he can achieve things,

06:37achieve things he believes in, and therefore, I think, I think,

06:43and I think if someone can come back after the injury he had, then you can only mention one person or one player,

06:47not only for football players, but also for other people who have to deal with tough things in life.

07:02I think you need to talk to James Muller because he has this mentality,

07:06this special thing inside that makes his personality so strong.

07:11Yeah, I think this can be a signal for him that if he trains hard, if he plays consistent,

07:37if he pushes his limit he can be a game-changer for every team in the world,

07:42and we saw it, I think, his potential last season, he has special things inside of him,

07:46he can do special things, he can change the game in one situation,

07:49and now it's important that he proves it consistently, he proved it against Oxford, he proved it now today.

07:55I hope that he has now a good international break with Germany,

07:59and then hopefully he comes back in a great shape and then he will have a big impact for us.

08:05You were relentless in the last half an hour, is that the standard now?

08:10Is that the best performance in their second half?

08:16I think it was an impressive second half regarding energy, regarding intensity,

08:20I think it was not the best football game from us,

08:23so regarding the tactical solutions we found against City,

08:27but regarding intensity and energy, that benchmark, of course it's not easy to keep this for 90 minutes,

08:33but that should be the challenge we should face and that's what we try to go for.

08:38Just a small issue, we didn't want to go any risk, so he has now some days to recover,

08:49and then he will be back against Bournemouth.

08:52How are you feeling going into the actual break?

08:57Does it come the wrong time after such a great win today?

09:01I think I had the question last season, I will answer it in the same way,

09:06so there are pros and cons, we need to take it like it is,

09:09we need to try to make the best out of it, we need to try to come back strong,

09:13out of the international break, and that's our responsibility.

09:16How happy are you with the squad?

09:26I always emphasise that I'm very happy with my squad,

09:30I think there are still some things ongoing,

09:33I don't think that crazy things will happen from our side,

09:36but let's see what happens in the next hours, and then we see more.

09:42Thanks.

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