Brighton Manager Prepares for Tactical Battle Against Norwich City in FA Cup

Fabian Hurzeler discusses the challenges posed by Norwich City ahead of their FA Cup clash, focusing on key player Borja Sainz and the tactical approach needed to succeed.

Brighton & Hove Albion manager Fabian Hurzeler is acutely aware of the tactical challenges that Norwich City present as his side prepares for their FA Cup third round encounter. The German coach has conducted a thorough analysis of the style of play employed by Norwich's head coach, Johannes Hoff Thorup, often referred to as 'Hoffball'.

As the week unfolds, uncertainty surrounds the availability of City forward Borja Sainz, who remains eligible to play while awaiting the FA's decision regarding a charge related to a spitting incident during a recent match against Sunderland. Norwich have submitted their observations to the FA ahead of the Tuesday deadline and are now awaiting a ruling.

In his preparations for the upcoming clash, Hurzeler stressed the importance of neutralising Sainz and other key players integral to Norwich's build-up play. "They try to build up from the back with (Callum) Doyle and (Kenny) McLean as sixes; both are very good football players," he noted. "They've clear positioning in the build-up, plus in the offensive line they have Sainz. He's a very good one-against-one player. He makes a difference, especially in the Championship."

Hurzeler further acknowledged Sainz's significant contributions to the team, asserting, "He scores a lot of goals. He makes a lot of assists. So we have to defend quite well. We have to press intensely, and we have to be very compact, also in a low block, to be ready to defend against them; otherwise, they can cause a lot of danger."

Reflecting on his previous experiences in Germany, Hurzeler expressed his admiration for knockout competitions, stating, "I watched a lot of English football, including the FA Cup, when I was in Germany. I think the League Cup is also growing in value—clubs play their strongest teams in the latter stages because they see it as a chance to win a title. I love cup games because they're unpredictable. Maybe even more so than league matches, as it's just one game—90 minutes, plus extra time if needed. You have to win or you're out."

As reported by The Pink'un, Brighton heads into the fixture at Carrow Road following a challenging run of six draws in their last eight matches. Hurzeler anticipates a tough encounter against the Canaries, remarking, "Norwich is a great opponent. They play really well, build up from the back, and have good individual players. So, it's not a given that we'll go there and win. It will be hard work. We can't underestimate them, and we need to work hard on the pitch to create chances to go to the next round."

He also emphasised the necessity of achieving positive results across all competitions, stating, "It's always important to get positive results, regardless of the competition. Winning builds confidence, belief, and trust, and it creates a better atmosphere. However, I try to focus on the process and performance. If we stick to our philosophy and work hard, the results will follow. Chasing results without a clear structure or identity can cause long-term problems."

In terms of player availability for the upcoming match, Joao Pedro is confirmed to be sidelined due to an ankle injury, while England international defender Lewis Dunk is also expected to miss out with a calf issue. As the FA Cup approaches, both teams will be keen to assert their dominance, with Norwich City looking to leverage their home advantage at Carrow Road.