How Brighton tactics let Fabian Hurzeler’s brave defence pose a tricky puzzle to solve

Pressure starts at goal-kicks

Brighton are the Premier League’s leading scorers, with 24 goals in nine games, but their defensive work has also powered victories over leading sides. They press high from opposition goal-kicks, using man-to-man assignments and intensity across the pitch.

A pressing attacker can curve a run away from the centre-back they were marking to close down the goalkeeper and block a return pass. Charalampos Kostoulas used this approach against David Raya, forcing the Arsenal goalkeeper to kick the ball out early in the game.

Risks built into the press

Brighton sometimes leave an opposing player unmarked during build-up. The team accepts that risk because it sees value in placing an extra presser closer to the ball. Against Manchester City, Maxim de Cuyper curved his run to pressure Gianluigi Donnarumma and restrict the goalkeeper’s route to Abdukodir Khusanov. Brighton left far-side full-back Matheus Nunes free, judging that the passing angle to him was difficult, while pressing man-to-man on the other side.

A spare defender protects the middle

Many leading teams defend in a 4-4-2 shape, with players covering zones and particular attention on protecting the centre. Brighton combine man-to-man pressure with a spare defender, or “plus-one,” in the back line: against four high forwards, they can defend with five.

The team also avoids being dragged too far across the pitch. When Martin Odegaard moved deeper, Chema Andres dropped back into midfield to add central cover, then engaged the Arsenal captain again when he advanced into a more threatening position. Luka Vuskovic remained the spare centre-back.

De Cuyper tracks roaming full-backs

Manchester City, Paris St-Germain and Arsenal have used full-backs in unusual attacking positions, creating difficult choices for opponents assigned to track them. Hurzeler has used Maxim de Cuyper as Brighton’s left winger, although the Belgian has spent most of his career at left-back.

That experience has given De Cuyper the work-rate and defensive understanding to follow a roaming full-back. He tracked City right-back Nunes, helping Brighton form a back five.