Brighton 2-3 AEK Athens: 86th minute sub Adingra tops ratings
Are you even an Albion fan if you were not expecting the club’s debut in Europe to not go to plan? In a sign of what a disappointment Brighton 2-3 AEK Athens was, 86th minute substitute Simon Adingra tops the player ratings.
Adingra was on the pitch for 17 minutes; the four of normal time left plus 13 added caused by AEK’s Ehsan Hajsafi requiring lengthy second half treatment after clashing heads with Jan Paul van Hecke.
Yet in that short time, Adingra seemingly did more than anyone else. Whilst others appeared overawed by the occasion and struggled against a streetwise and savvy Athens side, the Ivorian winger did at least try and make something happen.
Joao Pedro converted two penalties to finish just behind Adingra but this was a night when the Albion clearly missed Lewis Dunk and – despite a decent score for Pascal Gross – the departed duo of Alexis Mac Allister and Moises Caicedo.
Here are your Brighton 2-3 AEK Athens player ratings.
Jason Steele – 5.93
Four efforts on target for AEK resulted in three goals. Was badly let down for the first two by some terrible set piece marking. The writing should have been on the wall for Steele the moment he appeared wearing an Albion away kit from two seasons ago because every current goalkeeper shirt clashed with Athens or the referee.
James Milner – 5.00
Became the first ever Englishman to play for five different clubs in Europe. Making that piece of history was about as good as it got and he left the field injured. The evidence of West Ham at home and now AEK suggests the Albion defence is weaker with him in it over Joel Veltman.
Jan Paul van Hecke – 5.14
His worst performance of the season served as a reminder of two things. One is that Van Hecke is young, raw and still learning. The other is that Dunk elevates every single centre back he plays alongside. His biggest contribution was the brilliant through ball which sent Pedro clear for what should have been a hat-trick goal.
Igor Julio – 5.43
Not the most convincing of debuts as he looked a little off the pace, most notably when having to cynically tug the shirt of an AEK forward who was about to race away towards Steele. Should have scored with a first half header.
Pervis Estupinan – 5.64
As well as being a fantastically entertaining presence on the sidelines, AEK manager Matias Almeyda had done his homework and devised away to nullify the significant threat posed down the left by Estupinan and Mitoma.
Pascal Gross – 6.07
Der Kaiser deserved to be the first ever man to lead Brighton out in Europe as captain in the absence of Dunk. Kept the ball moving well and forced Cican Stankovic into two good saves. This in spite of the fact the AEK goalkeeper appeared to be wearing a wetsuit rather than a football kit.
Billy Gilmour – 5.21
Usually good for at least one stunning, eye-of-the-needle probing pass per game but even that was lacking.
Solly March – 5.86
Found it difficult to make inroads, bar one first half moment when he got into a positive position only to fail in finding a blue and white shirt.
Ansu Fati – 5.21
A mixed bag. Some lovely close control and use of the ball showcased what he can bring to the party. It was obvious to see though why Barcelona loaned him out; hopefully, the sky-high expectations everyone had over Brighton signing the new Lionel Messi will be tempered into something more realistic.
Kaoru Mitoma – 5.64
So good was the job AEK did on Mitoma and Estupinan that the Japanese Bullet Train was removed from the action by Roberto De Zerbi. You could even argue Mitoma should have been hauled much earlier.
Joao Pedro – 6.50
Won both penalties and then successfully converted them… easier said than done given the pressure of the two situations and the manner in which other Albion players faltered due to the magnitude of the occasion. Had he finished the late one-on-one chance rather than firing at the legs of Stankovic, then it would not have finished Brighton 2-3 AEK Athens and top spot in the ratings would have been his.
Tariq Lamptey – 5.29
De Zerbi introduced Lamptey over Veltman, presumably for the greater attacking threat he offers. Defensively, Lamptey is less assured and the Albion paid the price for that when he was badly caught out for the AEK winner.
Danny Welbeck – 5.21
Had one sight of goal in his brief time on the pitch, heading over.
SIMON ADINGRA – 6.79
Adingra was the one attacker who AEK had no real idea how to defend against. Fast footwork and a powerful shot almost made it 3-3 and he seemed the most likely to force a stoppage time equaliser.
Facundo Buonanotte – 5.29
Would have left the Albion on loan in the summer had Julio Enciso not picked up that serious knee injury. Added little when introduced alongside Adingra.
The WAB Player Ratings are formulated using marks out of 10 given by Brighton fans via Twitter. To have your scores included, follow We Are Brighton on Twitter and look out for the player rating thread after each game.
