Fabian Hurzeler wants Brighton & Hove Albion and Crystal Palace fans to remain calm when the bitter foes meet at the Amex Stadium on Sunday – having seen the “emotions” of the game first-hand at Selhurst Park last season.
Hurzeler watched on from the away goal as the sides drew 1-1 for a fifth consecutive edition at Palace of the match almost exactly a year ago, taking part in a fact-finding mission during the winter break of the German second-tier season, which ended for the 31-year-old leading St. Pauli to promotion as champions.
“Luckily, I visited last season and saw the game at Palace live,” said Hurzeler, who did not know at the time that he would succeed Roberto De Zerbi at Albion in the summer.
“I experienced what the rivalry and mood between the two clubs is like. Beyond the three points, it’s about the meaning of the game. I know, from the past, that the meaning – especially for the fans – is high, but also for the club.
“Everyone in the building knows the meaning. It’s something special, because you feel the atmosphere before and during the game. You feel like it’s a big competition.”
Good vibes ahead of the weekend 🤙😄#CPFC pic.twitter.com/32KBnuPdOx
— Crystal Palace FC (@CPFC) December 12, 2024
Brighton – Palace rivalry
Tensions have sometimes led to crowd trouble when the clubs clash, dating back to a row between then-Brighton manager Alan Mallery and his Palace counterpart Terry Venables during the 1970s.
BBC News reported that seven arrests were made when the groups met in February, with an increased police presence in Brighton city centre.
“What I always say is that everything has to happen respectfully – we don’t need violence or anything like that,” Herzeler warned, adding that high emotions are “part of the game” he enjoys as long as they are expressed appropriately. .
“That’s the main thing for me. It is a football game with more emotions than a normal game. You can cheer and support your team, but everything must go on without any violence.”
Two in two minutes against Crystal Palace last season! 🔥⚡️ #AlbionAdvent 💙🤍 pic.twitter.com/sCXotWAWwb
— Brighton & Hove Albion (@OfficialBHAFC) December 13, 2024
Brighton vs Palace: Fans ‘crucial’
Palace have not won the game in six attempts, losing twice, but have taken the lead on three of the four occasions when the game has finished 1-1 during this run.
The 17th-placed Eagles are in better form than the Seagulls, with one defeat in eight matches in all competitions, including two wins and two draws away from home.
Albion are without a win in three matches and have developed a habit of throwing away leads, with Sunday’s 2-2 draw at Leicester City representing the second time this season they have failed to win after going 2-0 up in the 85th minute.
“They know when the team is suffering a bit,” Hurzeler said of the Brighton fans. “He’s always our 12th man. I love their support and their feelings for the team.
“Their support is critical and very useful on the pitch and it is very important that they know that. Now it’s up to us to give them the victory in the derby.”
