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Hurzeler and Georginio on in-form Brighton's conference league clash with Kauno Žalgiris
14/10/2026
uefa26 conference league
14/10/2026
uefa26 conference league
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00:00Fabian, you have six fixtures in 17 days. You're hosting Crystal Palace on Sunday.
00:05So with that in mind and given the fantastic form you're in in the Premier League,
00:09can we expect to see a bit of rotation in your squad tomorrow evening?
00:13Yeah, first of all, I think the focus fully on tomorrow because it's a big game for us,
00:19it's a big game for the club and therefore we really focus on that game. We try to prepare well
00:25and regarding starting 11, of course, we try to manage players, we try to manage energy from players.
00:32So there will be definitely some changes, how many I can't say, but overall,
00:38all the changes we will do is a great opportunity for the players. All the changes we will do is
00:42because the players, they deserve it because they show really good impact in training,
00:47really good impact when they come on the pitch. So therefore, let's see how we'll be tomorrow.
00:52Pascal Strout's red card from Sunderland was overturned this morning.
00:55How confident were you that that would be the outcome of the appeal? And more importantly,
00:59how pleased are you to have him available for Sunday?
01:03Yeah, so I heard we only had 1% chance normally in these kind of cases, but we were 100
01:09% convinced
01:10that it's not a red card. So therefore we tried our luck and yeah, we were quite happy that the
01:17red
01:17card was doesn't count anymore. We have to be more lucky a thing or should be better if during the
01:26game
01:26it's solved like this that we don't have to send the man off. But yeah, overall, it's now a positive
01:32decision and we can keep moving forward now. He wasn't seen in training earlier on today. Is he going
01:38to be available for tomorrow? Yeah, we try to take care of the health from players. So it's the same
01:45like with Pascal Schroik. He had some issues in the international break. He played now 60 minutes
01:52against Sunderland and now we try to manage him and therefore tomorrow he won't be available. But
02:01hopefully he will be back at the end of the week for Palace. In more positive news, Jack Hinchelwood
02:06was training today and also yesterday. Can we expect to see him back tomorrow? Yes, that's what we can expect.
02:13In slightly more negative news, Femi Aziz was absent from training. He's still yet to make his
02:17competitive debut. What's the latest on his fitness? No, no big issue. I think we had a topic last
02:24press conference where some players need more time to adapt to the intensity. It's a little bit
02:28similar to Sadok. We try to give him the environment where they can adapt to our demands, to how we
02:36want to play and therefore these kind of players, they might need a little bit longer. But overall,
02:42there's not a big issue or something where I can report to you. So it's just a thing of adapting
02:49and
02:50let's see how fast he will adapt and then I'm sure that he will make his first minutes for us
02:55quite soon.
02:57Keanu Zalgiris won the Lithuanian Cup on Sunday. That will give them presumably a little bit of a boost
03:02heading into tomorrow. What are you expecting from them? We expect a team that has a lot of confidence
03:08because they're also very good in their league. They won, like you said, the Cups. So a team with
03:15belief, with confidence. We expect a team defending well in a low block. We expect a team that is good
03:23in
03:23transition. They also have players who want to play football. So it's not only that they will come
03:29and sit back. We expect a team who also try to play off from the back and the last game
03:34most of the
03:34times in a 4-3-3. We have good individual players in the midfield, players who ask for the ball.
03:40So
03:41therefore, I think it won't be a game where we only attack. We also have to defend well. So yeah,
03:46another interesting challenge, another great opportunity for us. But we have to, and that's
03:52very important to understand. It's not about maintaining our level. It's really about improving
03:56and also use this opportunity tomorrow to improve our performance, not just try to maintain it,
04:02try to get better every day. And that's another opportunity for us and against another good opponent.
04:11Fabian, what did you learn from Tromso and that experience going into this one?
04:16Yeah, the Europe games are different. They're just different because I think in the Premier League
04:21you know what you can expect from the opponent. You know what you can expect regarding intensity,
04:28what they are capable of doing your opponents. In Europe it's a little bit different because they
04:32come from a different league. They come from a different culture. They might play different than
04:38they played in the league before. So that's something where we have to be ready for that.
04:44Something where we might need to adapt shorter and that's definitely something that we learned in Tromso.
04:50Then another thing is that every team is good. Every team who is in this competition has the right
04:56to be there and has quality. So we saw it with Tromso, a really good team. Yesterday I'm sure a
05:02lot of
05:02people watched the Vikings against Bayern Munich and Vikings plays in the same league. I think they're
05:08one or two positions. I think they're first before Bolo Klimt. So you see that every club who has the
05:15right to play the qualification for the Conference League, has the right to play in the Conference League,
05:19has quality and therefore you can't underestimate anyone. And the second thing is regarding preparation.
05:26There might be shorter things where we need to adapt quite shortly. That's something we learned from Tromso.
05:33You've got a tricky period coming up, but how nice is it to have a home game to kick off
05:37the league phase campaign?
05:38Yeah, two great home games. Two home games in front of our supporters. We want to keep building our fortress
05:45at home.
05:46We want to keep building this image where it's just difficult to beat at home, where it's tough,
05:55it's also a little bit dirty place to go because of the environment we create together with our fans.
06:00And I think we are heading there in the right direction. So hopefully our supporters will be there tomorrow again.
06:06Hopefully they make an energetic atmosphere because I think it's so crucial for our game.
06:13They're like our 12th player and I think it's so important that we keep building this fortress and this connection
06:19we started at the beginning of the season.
06:21Bart Verbruggen played against Tromso, but Jason Steele played in the Carabao Cup.
06:26Where do you go with your keepers for this one?
06:28Yeah, so we spoke to the goalkeepers. So of course, Bart is also our number one in the conference league,
06:37but there will be awesome moments or there will be moments in this cup where Jason will play.
06:44So it's not like that Bart 100% will play every game. I think that Jason, every time he plays
06:50for us,
06:50is just a great goalkeeper. He proved it against United in the Carabao Cup. I'm so pleased to have him.
06:57I always say we have the best number two in the league, so therefore he will definitely get
07:02also a game in the conference league. But let's see when it's the right timing for that.
07:07And you mentioned last week about Jorginho Ruta. He certainly made an impact at the weekend.
07:10How pleased are you that he will get an opportunity, I imagine, to show his talents now?
07:15Yeah, very pleased because after we had the press, I went to him. Like I said, I said,
07:20you're the best training freak since you're here in the club. So then we had the game afterwards
07:26against Sunderland. And that's something I really want to emphasize because then normally I said to him,
07:32listen, you will get game minutes tomorrow. And I wanted to put him into the game earlier,
07:37but then we had like circumstances with the red card and then he could only play for several minutes.
07:44But that's also a change in his personality, in his mindset that he understands, okay, there were
07:48circumstances and he puts his ego behind the team. He puts the team first and then he came
07:54onto the pitch and he had immediately an impact. And that's something what I really want to emphasize
07:59because that's a great example for team first, for we then me. And therefore I think he made another
08:07great development regarding this. So he definitely will get his game minutes tomorrow because he deserves it.
08:13But I also see a development in his personality and that's so crucial for him as a person as well.
08:20And that's something what I really like to emphasize as well as a team.
08:23Thank you very much.
08:27Do I need them?
08:32Hi Fabian, when you've got players out on the pitch who are doing so well, can you take us into
08:41the mindset of the players who aren't on the pitch?
08:44What does that do to them when they see their colleagues doing so well?
08:49I think it's very individual what these kind of performances do with their mindset. But overall,
08:58for me, and I said it from the beginning, for me it's competition. So they have to compete for their
09:04position. I just had a conversation yesterday with Jack who has this mindset. He sees, okay, the team is
09:11performing well, but he also says then, all right, I have to step up. I have to show my best
09:16version to get
09:17back into the team. And that's what we want to have. Exactly this mindset we need, that players who are
09:23non-starters at the moment, that they have the mindset of, all right, I show it to everyone that
09:28I'm ready to play, that I want to be back on the pitch. And I improve my level and that
09:34automatically
09:35improves the whole level from the whole team. And I think that's very important that we have this
09:41competitive mindset of being a competitor in every training session, of competing against each other.
09:45Of course, in the end, we are all teammates. But I like this, this mindset of competing against each
09:51other, because then you really hold each other accountable, then you demand a lot from each other,
09:55and then you will get improvements. And that's what we have to keep pushing.
09:59Your team's always been good, obviously challenging the establishment, being under the radar as
10:03underdogs. It feels like they handle expectations better now. Do you sense that? And if so, why?
10:11Yeah, I think the topic we always had here, also in my time, I think we can push it a
10:17little bit away
10:18now that we're only performing against the good teams. I think we proved it, we showed it also in
10:24several games now that it's not only against good teams, we are performing also against teams who might
10:29be on our level, a little bit below our level. We are doing well. And I think the main thing
10:34is really
10:34the focus on us and the focus on our style of play. And we want to play our football with
10:40our values,
10:41with our principles, no matter who we face. So it's really like, no matter it's a friendly game,
10:45Carabao Cup, A5 Cup or Premier League game or tomorrow Conference League game, we want to play our
10:50football. And that's the mindset my players need to have. We shouldn't get to the level from our opponents,
10:59we should try to raise our levels. And that's the mindset my players have. And therefore, I think
11:03that's something where we do and did a good progress in.
11:08Fabian, after the Sunderland game, you mentioned that you don't want to be a nice club anymore.
11:14Can you just elaborate on that and what you mean by that and what that entails on the pitch?
11:23I use this word a little bit, this dirty club or this dirty atmosphere. That's a little bit what I
11:29meant by this phrase. It's like, keep building this fortress at home, together with the fans,
11:36creating a loud, energetic atmosphere where they are like our 12th player. And I think that's just an
11:44example for being nice. Of course, we are known for being a well-structured club, for having one of the
11:50best recruitments in the world. But these kind of things don't help you to win anything. These
11:55kind of things don't help you to improve every day. And I think we need to have this mindset of,
12:02okay, focus on us, believe in our quality, believe that we can compete with every team,
12:07but with nice, you win nothing. So you also need to have the mindset of, all right, we are difficult
12:13to
12:14beat. We are also not nice in personal jewels. We want to be ruthless in personal jewels. We want to
12:19create this energetic atmosphere where it makes it so hard to come to this place. And I think we have
12:25it in a lot of clubs in the Premier League. Like when you go, for example, to Newcastle, this atmosphere
12:30is just so loud and energetic. Also, I think when we saw the game at the weekend, Liverpool, how loud
12:35they can be. And I think these kind of things we are also capable of doing. We can create this
12:42energy,
12:42we can create this atmosphere together with our fans. But first of all, it's how we play football.
12:47And we should play a ruthless football. We should play a football where we win personal jewels and
12:52then we can create this energy, what hopefully transforms and transfers and also to the stands.
12:59And I think we made great progress the last month, great progress the last year. And we have to keep
13:05building this together with our fans to be not a nice football club anymore.
13:10And just an injury update. Matz Wiefer, how close is he and perhaps this game or the next possibly?
13:20Yeah, I think he's getting closer. So not for this weekend, but then afterwards there will be
13:27definitely an option where we see him taking part in the game. So hopefully, yes.
13:38Can I just ask you about Luka? He's obviously had a very impressive start to the season. He's started
13:44every game and nearly finished them all, I think, apart from a few minutes at Coventry. Croatia as well.
13:53Contributed a lot to six clean sheets. Is this a moment where you give him a breather or do you
14:01keep him in the room?
14:02Let's see tomorrow. Like with every player, I think every player, you know, they all want to play.
14:10If you're in a good mood, in a good run, of course, every player wants to play. But
14:15we had this similar topic in the last press where we spoke about our centre-backs and we have now
14:22Luis,
14:22we have Pascal Schoik, we have Svoboda. So they're all in a good place. And then, of course, Luka also
14:30had a
14:30great impact at the beginning of the season. Beside that, I think I always emphasise that we need to
14:35take care of the health from the players. He had a long trip with Croatia, a trip with a lot
14:42of different
14:42experience, played a lot of minutes. So for me, it's very important to manage also his health, to manage
14:50his energy because it will be a long season. And especially with him, of course, he has like this mindset
14:56of
14:56I want to play every game, but in certain moments also about protecting his future and his health.
15:03Let's see if it's tomorrow, but definitely be in the next weeks where we also have to manage him.
15:10Jorginho, six fixtures in 17 days. How are you feeling as a squad going into this busy period?
15:17I think we are pretty confident. I think when you win like this is always good for the team and
15:24for
15:24the spirit, but we have to be careful because sometimes when you take this very personal and
15:30we think like, ah, we won six games, we can a bit like lose our mind or something like this.
15:36So we have to be focused and stay consistent.
15:40Kärnos Algiers have never played against English opposition before. How do you then approach that as a team?
15:46You know, it's a bit like a cup game. It's more like we have to be careful. I know our
15:53strength and
15:54I think tomorrow is important. I think for the team to be consistent as well. And for the
16:00East Europe, we was waiting this for long. So we have to, if we can start very good.
16:08Yeah, but we take this game like very personal and very seriously because we know it's going to be
16:13a not an easy game. You have the highest number of different scorers in the Premier League. How much
16:19pride as a squad do you take in that fact? Yeah, we are, we are happy because last year was
16:23totally
16:24different. And I think this is good because we can see we improve. Like I say, we have to be
16:31consistent because football can go very quick on both sides. So yeah, but I'm very, we are very
16:39proud of us now. But like I say, we have to wait to be careful. Do you really get that
16:45sense though,
16:45that everybody on the pitch wants to score, that there is this really big desire to hit the back
16:50of the net? Yeah, I think like, if you say, if you look, the statistic is not one player who
16:55scores,
16:56it's like a lot of players. And like, for example, against Sunderland, when we score,
17:02like the whole bench game, and you know, that is the spirit at the moment. So we have to
17:07keep like this. And I think this wins like a lot of things. And I think we have to keep
17:13doing this
17:14thing because I think last year was not exactly the same. We had some ego maybe sometime, but this
17:22year, like we can see, we are very together. Let's talk about that celebration for the second goal
17:27against Sunderland. You were seen calling everyone over from the bench. Is that just a great example of
17:31the togetherness you have in your team? Yeah, of course. Um, you know, I was speaking with, um,
17:37with Jimmy, uh, Jawen, um, on the bench. I was like, ah, now I put my jacket on because I
17:44think I'm not
17:44going to come on. And I say, oh, I'm going to warm up a bit. Like we never know. And
17:49we come on and I
17:51asked his team and he's called like, that is together, like we say. And, um, yeah, like I said, the,
17:57the celebration is amazing because we don't see this like very often, I think. And that's why we
18:05are a good team and we are keep going like this. I think this is the more strength from the
18:11team at
18:12the moment. We are together. We put our ego on the side and yeah. And just in terms of yourself,
18:19how are you feeling out there on the pitch getting that assist? You just seems to be really enjoying
18:22yourself. Yeah, of course. Me, I'm a type of player when everything is go well, I can enjoy myself,
18:28but, um, I was injured. It was a bit, uh, annoying start of season personally, but like I say,
18:35if we speak about the spirit and the team, I'm very happy and everybody is happier as well that I
18:40come
18:40back. And, um, if I try to help the team even in 10 minutes, I will do it because it's
18:46my job.
18:47And just on the atmosphere at the Amex tomorrow night, Fabian Hertz has said he wants to see a dirty
18:52atmosphere, lots of energy. Is that what you're expecting? Of course. Uh, like I say, we was
18:56waiting for, for this game for Europe for a long time since I'm here. So I hope it's going to
19:03be a
19:04very good atmosphere because we, we need them. Uh, we need the, the fans to, to come with us.
19:10And, uh, I think we give them a lot this year and they give us a lot as well. And
19:17like I say,
19:18it's a big spirit. So if they can match with us, we'll be good. Thank you. You're welcome.
19:25Georgie, there's been a lot of talk about the fact that the club hasn't won a trophy yet.
19:29This presents an opportunity. Um, is there a feeling that you can create something special
19:33in this competition? Yeah, of course, if I speak personally, me, I play football to win trophy.
19:40And this year we have like an opportunity to, to do it. Uh, so why not? We're gonna give everything
19:48for this. Um, and yeah, but we have to take game per game. I think it's more important. Uh,
19:55we know we have a lot of injured players as well, uh, and we need them when they come back.
19:59So I think
19:59we have a good side this year to do something special, but we have to be a consistent like we
20:04are now.
20:05I mean, you're the favorites as a club to win the competition. Is there a little bit of pressure,
20:10especially bearing in mind other Premier League, uh, size record in this competition?
20:14I don't know if it's a pressure or not. Uh, like I say, we, we take game per game. I
20:19don't think we
20:20are a team like we are very humble. I think, uh, we're not like a side who we, I don't,
20:29we are happy to be
20:30a favorite, like you say, but I didn't know. Uh, I just take game per game and we'll see at
20:36the end. But
20:37like I say, if we stay very humble and confident at the same time and consistent, we can do something
20:44great, uh, very good. Sorry. And, uh, but we have to work and keep doing what we do. And what
20:49about
20:49you back playing in Europe? Um, mixed emotions maybe from maybe your time back at Rennes? Yeah,
20:55in Rennes, in Hoffenheim as well. I play a bit in Europa League. Uh, it's a great experience. I think
21:01for every player player player, Europe competition is good. Uh, I can't wait. And I hope, uh, we're gonna
21:07win for the, for the first game.
21:14Hi, Georgie. Obviously, Diego isn't in the goal scoring club yet. What have the players been saying to him?
21:18Does he get any teasing about that or encouragement?
21:24I would lie if I say yes, but no, we don't speak about this a lot. You know, uh,
21:29I know, um, we have a good side. It's not one player, but, uh, like I say, he's, uh,
21:37yeah, it's a bit, uh, strange question, but, um,
21:44what can I say about this question? No, no, not really.
21:48Yeah. Okay. It's another, maybe another strange question then. How's the music going?
21:54The music going good, uh, you know, uh, it's a hobby, uh, but, uh, actually, well,
22:01people today, this is the side that I was just enjoying myself with some friends and, uh,
22:06and yeah, is it did not more than actually help you, uh, get away from you, get your part of
22:11it?
22:11It used to be, uh, before when I was younger, but now it's more like a fun part of my
22:15life,
22:16you know, I have a lot of posies, horses, music, so, so yeah, but it's not helping me a lot,
22:22just enjoy it, you know. Can I ask you one more thing?
22:26Yeah, yeah, yeah.
22:27Um, the role you've had this season, how would you, uh, what do you see as your best?
22:34Uh, you know, me personally or the team?
22:37Um, uh, you know me, uh, everywhere the manager wants me to put on the team, I will do my
22:50best. Um,
22:51I think it depends which position I play, but if I can, like, score some goals, I think it's better
22:59because last year I didn't score many goals or assists, but I need to be more consistent of it and
23:07everybody say, like, I'm a player that just needs to score. Like, they say you can have,
23:12you can be good on the ball, you can run, but the more important for a striker is to score.
23:17And that's what, that's why people say to me, so, I need to score more and be more on the
23:23box,
23:23like they say.
23:26You're welcome.
23:27Uh, Jorginho, um, Fabian Herzella said last week was the best you've ever trained.
23:33Um, why do you think he said that? And what have you perhaps done differently recently to previous
23:40uh, times?
23:42Yeah, I'm very happy that he said that because he said to me, like, just after this, he
23:46took me on the, on his office and said that he said that to the, in the conference. Uh, I'm
23:52very happy,
23:52you know, because, uh, I think I'm, I'm hard to, to work with. Sometimes I'm a bit like, um,
23:58uh, I'm not happy every time because I want the best for me. I'm ambitious and, uh, in training,
24:06for example, I'm not, uh, I'm not consistent. And, uh, this week I was very consistent and he
24:13said that the George is what I want to see. And, uh, we have a good discussion. And, uh, since
24:21this,
24:21uh, I'm a bit more, uh, into it. I was a bit, uh, you know, for a player who is
24:25injured and see,
24:26I was very happy for the team that we win, of course, but when you're a player and you're injured
24:32and you can't help the team, you know, it's a bit frustrating because I wanted to help the team
24:36as well. So I was a bit, uh, so, so. So that's why he was speaking with me and I
24:41explained to him,
24:42like, it's a bit hard for a player who want to, but I say at the same time, like,
24:46I'm very happy for them. I'm going to give everything when I come back. So that's what I try to
24:51do.
24:52Yeah. And do you think now that you're fully fit, uh, that consistency, uh, will come?
24:58Yeah, of course. Uh, I think I, I, I work on it and, uh, I think I try to do
25:03my best every training now.
25:04Uh, and before I was a bit, uh, um, you know, I'm, I'm not a trainer who I think for
25:12them give
25:13100% every time. Um, I try to do my best, but some, every footballer is different and, uh,
25:20I try to, to do my best and change the mentality as well. And that's why, that's why I had
25:25this
25:2710 minutes, I think, during the game against, uh, Sunderland. Uh, and he said before the game,
25:34yeah, you deserve to play. I did and I assist and he was very happy and he said,
25:38that's the Georgie I want to, to see on the pitch.
25:42Georgie, you had a very impressive first season here until the injury,
25:48perhaps not so impressive last season. Um, tell me about that contrast. Why do you think that happened
25:55and what place do you feel you're in now after back from the injury?
26:03Uh, that's a good question. Um, my first season, yes, of course. I think when you came here,
26:10you have to be, you have to adapt good. And that's what I do, uh, after I get injured and
26:14last year
26:15was another great season about statistics, because when we speak about like statistics of the scoring
26:23and assist, I think I, I was all right. Um, but people need more for me because they saw me
26:31a first
26:31season very good. So this season, uh, uh, I want to be like the first season. Of course, uh, I
26:38tried to,
26:38to, to, to, to change something as well on me. Um, because, uh, I was not always perfect. Uh,
26:46that's what I, uh, I need to work on. I need to work what the team asks as well for
26:51a player like me.
26:53And before I was more like, um, I want to play like I want to play. And now I'm more
26:58like, uh,
26:59what the team is going to give me to play with them. And, um, like Aston Villa, for example,
27:05I think the first game I do a good game, even I didn't score, but I was part of the
27:10team. And,
27:11uh, I think before I was last year, I didn't see a game like this for me. So I'm on
27:16the good side,
27:17on the good way to perform. And, um, and yeah, and I, I think the team as well know that
27:23I had a good
27:24season, bad season. And they was always here for me to help. And, um, and yeah, but like I say,
27:31I'm ready for this season and it's going to be better than last year.
27:36And just, just on one of your teammates, Luca, who's made a very impressive start, hasn't he?
27:42Um, what do you, I mean, you probably had seen a fair bit of him in training,
27:47in particular, perhaps sort of drills and stuff. So what about him as a player,
27:53as a prospect, and also how you're a very bright character, but how's he fitted into the dressing room as
27:59well?
28:00No, Luca is a, is a, is a young player, young lads. Uh, he listened a lot. He have a,
28:07uh, uh, a character. He have a aura. And, um, yeah, he's very like,
28:13impressive because for his age, what he do on the pitch is, it's crazy. Me when I was his age,
28:20I didn't, I didn't see a lot of player like him on his age. So very impressed. I think he,
28:26he, he have something to learn more. And I think it's the right team for him to learn.
28:32And, uh, and yeah, I think he can be a very, very good striker for the future.
28:38But, uh, he has to listen and we have to keep going on his way because I think he's,
28:45he, he's very good player. Yeah. And dressing room. Sorry. Very good. I think he had that very good.
28:51Uh, he likes to speak. He likes to give his opinion as well. Um, he speaks with everyone. Um, so,
29:00no, I, I can feel like he's here for a year already. So, uh, so now he's a very, very
29:06good guy.