If you were to ask any Brighton fan the chances of seeing the Seagulls in Europe by 2023 upon promotion to their Premier League in 2017, most would think you were taking the mick.
But Brighton has launched themselves up the Premier League table after biding their time.
Selling on big players and replacing them with astute signings to later make even more profit on has been integral to their success.
Going from just avoiding relegation in 2021 to Europa League dreaming just two years later, thanks to an incredible 6th place finish in a Premier League that is more competitive than ever before.
It’s surreal to see Brighton sharing the European spotlight with Klopp’s Liverpool.
Even seeing Brighton fixtures listed alongside Champions League betting in the european competition section still triggers a double-take.
While this success has been nothing short of groundbreaking, breaking into Europe without the endless financial backing of Sheikhs, Princes and multi-billionaire tycoons, it can so quickly go wrong.
Football is fickle, which is why as Brighton gears up to take on the final 3 fixtures of their group stage, enjoying every second of this maiden season in Europe is vital.
However, for all my talk of philosophical attitudes and enjoying the ride while it lasts, it’s impossible not to speculate on Brightoon’s chances.
Halfway through the group, a quick moment to stop and assess how things are going and how they might go is part of enjoying Europe while we can.
So it finally comes to that all-important, inescapable question: Can Brighton progress?
After a chaotic but ultimately disappointing start to, that frenetic 3-2 loss to AEK Athens, Brighton bounced back superbly to come back from 2-0 down at Marseille to snatch a 2-2 draw thanks to a late penalty.
But for all the heart shown in that performance, 1 point from two was not good enough form to progress.
A great showing against Ajax followed when it mattered most, The Seagulls dominating the struggling Dutch giants, comfortably winning 2-0.
At the halfway mark, Brighton sits 3rd, level on points with AEK Athens in 2nd however.
Ajax are in last, Brighton facing them again tonight, but with a new manager that has finally instilled confidence into the team, steering Ajax to back-to-back wins for the first time all season, it won’t be as easy as last time.
Group B is proving one of the Europa League’s toughest groups, Brighton will likely need a point in Amsterdam and will be hopeful of a Marseille win in Athens to put the Seasiders 2nd and in control of their destiny.
A draw today and victory against Marseille or Athens should be enough to see them enter the knockout rounds, where the drama really begins.
It’s fair to say Brighton has slumped in recent weeks, 7th place in the Premier League but just 1 win from 7, a win today could reignite the side after a sputtering turn of form.
Still, even failing to make the knockouts is nothing to be ashamed of, Brighton, much like Newcastle in the Champions League find themselves in a group where anyone can beat anyone on their day.
Whatever the result, playing in Amsterdam is certainly a far cry from the Brighton side that wore kits adorned by Fatboy Slim’s record company Skint Records just over 20 years ago.
It’s mind-boggling to think of the growth the Seagulls have enjoyed these past 10 years, where failing to make it out of a group with two Champions League winners would be a disappointment!
