Brighton is facing a challenging situation with injuries to key players Kaoru Mitoma and Simon Adingra, both pivotal on the wings, as they prepare for a clash against Tottenham on Thursday. Mitoma sustained an ankle issue during the recent 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace, while Adingra is grappling with a hamstring problem, rendering them both unavailable for at least a month. This exacerbates the strain on Brighton’s already thin squad.
In the absence of Mitoma and Adingra, the responsibility of filling the void falls on 19-year-old Facundo Buonanotte. Having showcased an elevated performance level recently, marked by his first goal of the season against Chelsea, Buonanotte is expected to play a more prominent role in the upcoming game against Spurs. Coach Roberto De Zerbi commended Buonanotte’s improved energy and mentality, expressing satisfaction with the young player’s development.
However, despite Buonanotte’s presence, there remains a gap on the other wing. The versatile forward Joao Pedro is a potential candidate for the role, while under-21 players Benicio Baker-Boaitey and Josh Duffus, though wingers, may not be deemed ready for a match of this magnitude. Consequently, De Zerbi may need to adopt a creative approach to the team’s formation to navigate the challenges posed by the Spurs match and the absence of key players on the wings.
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