Brighton host AEK Athens to start a new chapter in Albion history

Every time the Albion hit a landmark achievement, you think things will not get any better than this. Winning League One at a canter. Promotion to the Premier League. Finishing ninth. Finishing sixth. And now, Brighton about to take on AEK Athens in the Europa League.

But what if it does? What if it does keep getting better? What if this latest history-making moment as the Seagulls soar into European competition for the first time is not the end of the journey but the first step in another chapter? Scary, isn’t it?

There has been much reflection in the build up to Brighton hosting AEK Athens of the club’s recent past, stretching further back than the aforementioned title winning side Gus Poyet He Who Must Not Be Named led to third tier domination in 2010-11.

The world and his wife has by now seen the phenomenal video put out on the club’s social media channels. It covers everything from the sale of the Goldstone Ground in 1995 and its demolition two years later which left the Albion homeless through to the present day.

The rise of Brighton & Hove Albion. Our journey continues tomorrow. 💫 pic.twitter.com/7GuSbbMhJc

— Brighton & Hove Albion (@OfficialBHAFC) September 20, 2023

There is even a couple of seconds of Mark McGhee looking very pleased with himself, which is obviously the highlight of the entire package.

(Poyet You Know Who of course did not feature for even a millisecond, even though he was the man who began the transformation and modernisation of the club on-the-pitch.)

Albion supporters themselves have found themselves looking back on their own personal journeys following the Seagulls. Many posts have been shared along the lines of “Never did I think I would watch Brighton in Europe.”

This is true whether your first game was in the 1970s when Pat Saward had his buy-a-player fund, the 1980s with Big Bad Barry Lloyd at the helm, the 1990s at Gillingham, the 2000s at Withdean or the 2010s through the Amex and Premier League Eras.

The past and the unique experiences Albion fans have gone through to reach this point will make Brighton v AEK Athens an emotional occasion.

Roberto De Zerbi understands that. He gets what it is to be a Brighton supporter, where this club has come from and what it means to so many people – and not in the sarcastic, “maybe I need a history lesson” manner of Glow Up Graham Potter.

But at the same time, De Zerbi does not dwell on the past. His burning desire and motivation comes from making history himself. Already he has done that with last season’s sixth place finish. The mind boggles at what lies in store in Europe under the charismatic Italian.

Amongst all the retrospectives, not much has been said or written about what Brighton might do in the Europa League this season. The answer is rather exciting.

It is no stretch to say the Albion are one of the four or five best teams in England right now. The Premier League is arguably the strongest and most competitive in Europe, meaning Brighton are in theory one of the better sides competing in the Europa League group stage.

When Group B was drawn, it looked tough based on name recognition. Ajax and Marseille are former Champions League winners, AEK Athens one of the most famous teams in Greece.

Being a big name and having a glittering CV of past trophies does not necessarily translate to success in 2023, however. Just ask fans of 1996 Coca Cola Cup runners up The Leeds United, who spent their Wednesday night drawing 0-0 at Hull City to sit ninth in the Championship. #FreeBenWhite and all that.

Marseille have just seen manager Marcelino quit after just three months in charge. This followed supporters reportedly threatening the club’s hierarchy during a meeting between fans’ groups and staff on Monday. That October trip to the south of France becomes more appealing by the week.

Ajax this week launched an investigation regarding a potential conflict of interest involving their technical director, Sven Mislintat, and a recent player acquisition. The Dutch giants sit 12th in the Eredivisie having won just one of their four matches.

Given Greek’s football well-known penchant for crises – PAOK owner comes onto pitch to confront referee wearing a holster containing a revolver being a classic of the genre – it is somewhat bizarre that AEK Athens are the most in-shape opponent for Brighton in Group B.

Yet they will still arrive at the Amex with only one recognised centre back due to an injury crisis. They have conceded in every game they have played so far this season and only opened the scoring in a match once, when drawing 1-1 in an Athens derby against Olympiacos on Sunday.

Compare managers walking out, transfer scandals and a paucity of defensive options with the current situation at the Albion.

Brighton have just beaten Manchester United 3-1 at Old Trafford. The Seagulls have a talented squad, a harmonious atmosphere and in De Zerbi, a head coach who is now being recognised as one of the best in the world.

There is no reason why Brighton cannot go far in the Europa League this season. AEK Athens at the Amex will be a great night, one to remember the past, but more importantly one to look to the future.

Think it cannot get any better than this? We have believed that before, only to find out it can. And under De Zerbi, it probably will.