Albion v Forest
FA CUP - QUARTER-FINALS
Venue: The American Express Stadium
Date: Saturday 29th March 2025
Kick-off: 17:15 GMT
Referee: Peter Bankes
Assistants: James Mainwaring, Nick Greenhaigh
Fourth Official: Thomas Bramall
VAR: Paul Tierney, Andy Madley
Additional VAR: Craig Taylor
Hürzeler on team news and 'opportunity' in FA Cup
Fabian Hürzeler has been speaking to the media before Saturday's FA Cup game against Nottingham Forest.
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
- Lewis Dunk, Solly March and Matt O'Riley are expected to be available but Tariq Lamptey "will be out for longer".
- He said "it is so far so good" in terms of international players returning with no issues so Kaoru Mitoma and João Pedro should be able to start Saturday's game.
- On feeling the importance of the game: "Even when I spent some time in my home town, a Brighton fan called my name and he said he was really looking forward to watch the game. So you feel it, but it is important that you don't make it artificially big."
- More on dealing with quarter-final pressure: "It is an important game like all of the other games in which we have to go to our limits. That is what we have to do again tomorrow. We all know it is a big opportunity and chance."
- He said the players who did not go on international duty had a few days off "and then came back with a lot of energy and full of spirit to continue this [seven game unbeaten] run".
- On The FA Cup seemingly being more open this season: "The clubs who are in it remain in it for a reason and deserve to be there. I wouldn't say that just because the bigger teams are out, as it is always an opportunity to win if you are in."
- He said "being authentic and creating togetherness" is what he came in to do and "trusting that process" means you might have the opportunity to win something. Hürzeler added: "It is not about me or trying to build a legacy, it's about achieving something as a team."
- On opponents Nottingham Forest: "We only have to look at the table. If a team is that long at the top of the table then they are there for a reason. They are a top team with a lot of individual quality. It is an opportunity to prove how far we are in our development and we will try to make the next step."
- This is the first ever FA Cup meeting between Brighton and Nottingham Forest. The Tricky Trees have progressed from both previous cup ties against the Seagulls – 3-1 in the 1977-78 League Cup quarter-final, and 3-0 on aggregate in the 1986-87 League Cup second round.
- Nottingham Forest have won 7-0 and drawn 2-2 with Brighton so far this season. They last scored 10+ goals against an opponent in a single season in 1997-98 (10 vs Doncaster), while Brighton last conceded 10 against a side in 1980-81 (10 vs Manchester United).
- Brighton have progressed from their last two FA Cup quarter-final ties, beating Millwall on penalties in 2018-19 and beating Grimsby Town 5-0 in 2022-23.
- Nottingham Forest have lost their last three FA Cup quarter-final ties, all by a 1-0 scoreline. They last reached the semi-final of the competition in 1990-91, ultimately reaching the final and losing to Tottenham Hotspur.
- Since the start of the 2022-23 campaign, only Manchester City (48) and Manchester United (33) have scored more FA Cup goals (first round onwards) than Brighton (30 in 11 games).
- Three of Nottingham Forest’s last five FA Cup ties have gone to a penalty shootout, with Forest progressing from all three. Overall they’ve won all four of their FA Cup shootouts, with only Macclesfield Town and Stevenage (both 5/5) having a better 100% record in the competition proper.
- Brighton’s João Pedro has been involved in seven goals in his last four starts in the FA Cup, scoring six and assisting another.
- Nottingham Forest’s Chris Wood has scored more goals against Brighton than against any other opponent in his English club career in all competitions (12), netting four times in two games against them this term alone.
Fabian Hürzeler's Forest Press Conference
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