Roberto De Zerbi’s Tactical Blueprint at Brighton: Analysis of the 2022-23 Season
Since arriving at Brighton & Hove Albion in late September, Roberto De Zerbi has seamlessly picked up the tactical baton from Graham Potter. Although early results varied, De Zerbi’s recognized for continuing the team’s distinctive possession-based identity while subtly introducing his own nuances. With Brighton holding a strong seventh position in the league, let’s explore De Zerbi’s tactical approach and assess whether his methods position the Seagulls for a potential European push.
A Consistent 4-2-3-1 Formation: The Foundations of De Zerbi’s Brighton
After initially experimenting with a 3-4-2-1 setup reminiscent of Potter’s system, De Zerbi has now established a reliable 4-2-3-1 as Brighton’s default shape. This back-four formation promotes both defensive solidity and strategic flexibility.
A notable tactical innovation involves Pascal Groß, traditionally a midfielder, repurposed as a right-back. While Groß previously featured as an attacking midfielder, he has adapted impressively to his new defensive role, even maintaining his goal-scoring contribution. On the opposite flank, Pervis Estupiñán operates as a dynamic, attack-minded left-back, frequently advancing higher up the pitch much like a wing-back.
Central defense is anchored by the partnership of Lewis Dunk and Adam Webster, both recognized for their aerial ability and composure in possession. Injuries have given Levi Colwill opportunities to impress, while Joel Veltman remains a versatile alternative across both back-three and back-four setups.
Behind the defensive line is Robert Sánchez, Brighton’s ever-present ‘sweeper keeper.’ His tactical awareness and proficiency with the ball at his feet contribute greatly to Brighton’s build-up play, allowing the team to play out confidently from deep positions.
Midfield Engine: Mac Allister and Caicedo’s Influence
The midfield pivot featuring Alexis Mac Allister and Moisés Caicedo has become the heartbeat of De Zerbi’s side. Barring Mac Allister’s cameo absence following Argentina’s World Cup triumph, this pairing has been ever-present. Caicedo’s energy and ball-winning tenacity complement Mac Allister’s vision and creativity, giving Brighton a blend of steel and subtlety in midfield. Their ability to dictate the pace of play and support both defensive and attacking phases is central to Brighton’s tactical identity.
Attacking Trio and Forward Dilemma
Ahead of the midfield duo, Brighton utilize a trio of creative attackers. Adam Lallana has been reinstated as a central playmaker, drawing on his experience to link midfield and attack. Out wide, Solly March offers incisive dribbling and crossing on the right, while Leandro Trossard or his understudy Kaoru Mitoma provide directness and flair from the left.
The centre-forward role has been a point of experimentation. While Danny Welbeck has led the line, his lack of goals poses questions. De Zerbi has not hesitated to deploy Trossard as a false nine, capitalizing on his movement and finishing ability, while also offering minutes to emerging talents like Julio Enciso and Jeremy Sarmiento. The main requirement for this central striker is efficiency in converting chances created by Brighton’s multifaceted attack.
Defensive Dynamics: Aggression, Shape, and Adaptability
Under De Zerbi, Brighton’s defensive system has evolved in both structure and intensity. Early matches saw occasional disorganization as the team adapted, but the side now usually defends in a shape oscillating between 4-2-3-1 and 4-4-2. The primary objective is not only to maintain formation, but also to proactively press and neutralize opposition playmakers. For example, Moisés Caicedo has frequently been tasked with tracking and disrupting influential opponents, demonstrating the tailored approach Brighton takes against key threats.
Brighton’s pressing is coordinated and assertive, often involving wide players pushing up to pressure opposition full-backs while midfielders compress space to either side of the ball. The defensive line prefers to leave space behind rather than play an aggressive offside trap, trusting in their central defenders’ ability to deal with longer balls and in Sánchez’s sweeping ability.
Midfielders Mac Allister and Caicedo lead the ball-winning effort, collectively averaging nearly nine tackles and interceptions per 90 minutes, with Caicedo boasting an especially strong tackle success rate. Out wide, defenders such as Veltman and Estupiñán are also key contributors in regaining possession, especially in areas where Brighton overload and quickly surround opposing players.
Despite generally sound defensive work, moments of lapses and individual errors have seen Brighton concede 14 goals in the first nine league matches under De Zerbi. As the team matures within the system, further defensive improvements are anticipated.
Attacking Philosophy and Build-Up Patterns
On the offensive side, Brighton’s play under De Zerbi is marked by patience, innovation, and fluid movement. Leandro Trossard stands out as the team’s chief attacking threat, notable for his versatility and ability to finish with either foot—scoring the majority of his goals this season with his weaker left side from the left half-space. De Zerbi has also used Trossard centrally, leveraging his pace and smart movement to stretch defenses.
Brighton’s build-up is characterized by short, patient passing sequences, often executed with one-touch triangles involving defenders and midfielders. The team commonly sets up in a 2-4-4 structure during the initial phase, with both full-backs engaging the build-up or inverting depending on the situation. Adding to this, players like Groß sometimes tuck inside, forming fluid patterns such as a temporary 2-5-3 to enhance passing options and retain possession even under high pressure.
A critical aspect of the build-up involves using the unique strengths of Mac Allister and Caicedo, as both excel at sustaining and progressing possession—including under pressure. This patience lures opponents to press centrally, only for Brighton to then exploit width with combinations on the flanks—most frequently on the left through Estupiñán’s overlapping runs and the direct threat of Mitoma or Trossard.
Goalkeeper Robert Sánchez plays a crucial role as a distribution outlet, maintaining an impressive 99% accuracy on short and 98% on medium passes, ensuring Brighton can reliably recycle possession from deep.
Brighton’s attacking diversity and inventiveness are evident in their numbers, netting 15 goals across De Zerbi’s first nine matches. This offensive productivity, combined with their dynamic and attractive style, has quickly established the Italian manager’s credentials as Potter’s worthy successor.
Summary and Future Prospects for Brighton Under De Zerbi
Roberto De Zerbi’s tenure at Brighton offers a compelling case study in tactical continuity and subtle evolution. Retaining much of the game model that defined Graham Potter’s era, De Zerbi has fine-tuned key aspects to reflect his own philosophy—most notably in pressing and positional rotations.
The Seagulls have adapted well to the 4-2-3-1, extracting the best from stars like Leandro Trossard and optimizing the talents of promising midfielders like Caicedo and Mac Allister. As De Zerbi continues to refine defensive organization and seeks a more clinical presence up front, Brighton appear poised to solidify their status as one of the Premier League’s most cohesive and exciting teams.
If Brighton continue to progress under De Zerbi, a place in European competition is an achievable ambition—a testament to the club’s strategic vision and the manager’s tactical mastery.
