Brighton have been dealt a huge blow ahead of games against Marseille and Liverpool after it was confirmed that Pervis Estupinan has suffered an injury.
The Ecuadorian left-back was substituted off at half-time of last Saturday’s 6-1 mauling at the hands of Aston Villa after enduring a nightmare first half in which he put the ball in his own net.
Albion manager Roberto de Zerbi has now confirmed that Estupinan was forced off the pitch with a muscle injury, which will sideline him for the next month.
“He’s an important player we are losing. We have to be good enough to get the result without important players,” the Italian said in his pre-match press conference ahead of Thursday’s Europa League meeting with Gennaro Gattuso’s Marseille.
The 25-year-old defender is also ruled out of this Sunday’s home clash with Liverpool in the Premier League, and is likely to miss games against Man City, Ajax, Fulham and Everton after the international break.
James Milner, Julio Enciso and Adam Lallana are also out injured, while Pascal Gross is a doubt for Thursday. De Zerbi admits that Brighton are still getting used to playing in Europe and wants his side to bounce back from last weekend’s disappointment.
“I think the Villa Park game will be very important for us,” he said. “I know very well the quality of people inside my dressing room. I think we will react in the best way – the attitude, the passion we show from here to the end of the season will be totally different.
“We have to change many players game by game. The defeat against West Ham or at Villa Park is not because I changed a lot of players. I believe in my players and squad.
“We are not used to playing so many games in a row, in the same week. We have to adapt.”
