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Brighton boss De Zerbi: I loved Pep's Barcelona; we deserve Europa League place

Brighton boss Roberto de Zerbi was left beaming after their 1-1 draw with Manchester City.

The result sees Brighton qualify for the Europa League next season.

De Zerbi said: "It was very tough. We knew to play against Manchester City is always tough. We played very well, we deserved the point and we deserve to play in the Europa League.

"I didn't think about the target [when I first came here]. I wanted to work and to analyse the team and the players, to understand the new country and the new league. In February I started to think about the table, the final result and the goal.

"I am lucky because I found a group of players who are fantastic. I am normal, a good coach."

On Julio Enciso's goal, he continued: "Incredible, Julio has big, big potential but I want him to play better, play for the team. I think he can do that if he stays with us. I think for sure he can improve."

On compliments from Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola, he added: "I became a coach for him because I loved his Barcelona. I studied him a lot. I don't want to copy no-one but I took [ideas] when I started to be a coach. Pep is number one."

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