Roberto De Zerbi fears Pervis Estupinan could be sidelined for about a month after being injured in Brighton’s six-goal loss to Aston Villa.
‘He’s injured and can’t play for a long time,’ said De Zerbi ahead of Thursday’s Europa League tie in Marseille. ‘One month, more or less. I don’t know the right time but it’s a muscular injury and it is not for a game or two.
‘Unfortunately, it is an important player we are losing but we can play in that position with Tariq Lamptey, Igor Julio or others. We have to be ready with others.’
De Zerbi did not blame Estupinan’s injury on the crowded schedule of Brighton’s first European campaign but admitted the club were still learning to cope with new demands.
‘We are not used to playing so many games in a row in the same week and we have to adapt,’ said the Brighton boss. ‘To adapt we have to change many players game by game. The defeats against West Ham and Aston Villa are not because I changed a lot of players. I believe in my players and my squad. We have enough to fight better.’
Brighton lost 6-1 at Villa Park on Saturday and De Zerbi hopes the shock defeat will prove a catalyst for their season.
‘I think the Villa game would be very important for us,’ he said. ‘I know very well the quality inside my dressing room and think we will react in the best way.
‘I don’t speak about the result but the attitude and the passion we will show from here until the end of the season will be totally different. Mistakes can happen sometimes but it is important, it can be a crucial day for us.’
Gennaro Gattuso is the new manager of Marseille, an old foe of De Zerbi’s from Italian football. They were involved in an infamous clash when in charge of Foggia and Pisa, in a play to reach Serie B in 2016.
‘I will be happy to face Gattuso,’ said De Zerbi. ‘We have had two very similar paths. We started managing abroad and in the third division together. I have lots of respect for him. I might not say he is a friend of mine but I respect him and his staff. Even if we have to be rivals tomorrow and need to fight a little we will do it with respect.’