Roberto De Zerbi says there can be no priorities as he aims to finish a job that was started in Marseille in October.
The Seagulls can secure top spot in Europa League Group B if they beat OM at the Amex tonight (8pm).
Matchday minus one via @andrewgardnr. #bhafc pic.twitter.com/nbcAXYhoax
— Brian Owen (@Brian__Owen) December 13, 2023
That would be some way to continue a campaign which got off to the most false of starts when they lost 3-2 at home to AEK, then went 2-0 down on a hot, noisy and intense night at the Stade Velodrome.
Albion have not conceded a goal since then, coming back to draw 2-2 in Provence before beating Ajax twice and winning in Athens.
De Zerbi was asked what mattered more to him - winning tonight or at Arsenal in the Premier League on Sunday.
But all thoughts right now are on beating the French outfit.
De Zerbi said: “We have played well in Europe and have won three games in a very tough group, now there is another step, we have to try and win.
“Marseille are a very good team, but we have the ambition to finish top of our group.
“It is a prestigious thing to finish at the top of the table, because we will play two games less in February, and also (prestigious) for the history of our club.
“We want to try to win because we are serious people. When we work, we always want to show our best and do our best.
“We are playing better than at the beginning of the Europa League. We lost a lot players (to injury), but we are playing better and are stronger. We are improving in mentality.”
Albion have no fresh selection concerns following Saturday’s 1-1 draw against Burnley in the Premier League.
Jakub Moder, though, will not be involved as the midfielder is not in the club’s Europa League squad list.
The game comes too soon for the recovering Danny Welbeck but Albion hope he will be on the bench at the Emirates. Albion were Europa novices when they went to Stade Velodrome while OM were playing their first home game under Gennaro Gattuso.
De Zerbi said: “Marseille under Gattuso is changing, they are playing in a tactically different disposition.
“(Pierre-Emerick) Aubameyang is scoring a lot of goals and I think both teams are better now than at the first game in Marseille.”
UEFA regulations on academy players mean De Zerbi will alter the youngsters he has with his squad.
Josh Duffus came off the bench at AEK but Mark O’Mahony is not eligible having signed within the last two years.
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