Roberto De Zerbi has ruled two key players out of Brighton’s FA Cup semi-final next weekend against Manchester United.
The Italian’s joy at masterminding his side’s first ever win over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge was offset partially by the injuries sustained by Joel Veltman and Evan Ferguson.
Teenage Ireland striker Ferguson has made a significant breakthrough in recent months, while Veltman has been a dependable presence in a Brighton defence that has been missing Tariq Lamptey for a major part of the season.
Both players suffered injuries during the first-half against Chelsea and will not have recovered for the Wembley showdown against United.
‘We are losing too many players. We are playing without (Adam) Lallana, (Jeremy) Sarmiento, (Tariq) Lamptey, now today Veltman and Ferguson,’ said De Zerbi. ‘It’s difficult.
‘Ferguson and Veltman can’t play for a minimum couple of weeks.’
Veltman’s replacement, Julio Enciso, secured a landmark victory for Brighton with a stunning 25-yard piledriver, but De Zerbi revealed he was unhappy with the Paraguayan’s performance in the 20 minutes that followed his decisive goal.
He said: ‘Julio Enciso played a fantastic game until the goal and then he finished the game.
‘It’s not a surprise. He’s a good guy. He has to progress and improve in his mentality – to explain to him the importance of the last 10 minutes.
‘If we conceded a goal then his goal is not important like if you win. The important thing is to have the confidence from your team-mates.
‘I don’t like if you score and then you finish the game. You have to think about the team.’
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