'I can't change' –  Roberto De Zerbi delivers clear message to Brighton players after Manchester City loss

De Zerbi's men fell to a 3-1 defeat at the Etihad Stadium with Erling Haaland bagging a brace in the first half.

Leandro Trossard pulled one back for Albion early on in the second half but Kevin De Bruyne killed any hope for Brighton with a wonder goal in the 75th minute.

Speaking after the game, De Zerbi said: "I'm sad, not only for today but these [last] five games. In the second half, more than in the first half, we played very well. We had a chance to go 2-2."

The Italian boss revealed what he said to his players at half-time as Brighton came out fighting.

He said: "At half time I spoke to my players, I wanted more bravery, more confidence in themselves. Without the ball in the first half we were good, but with the ball we could have been better."

De Zerbi took encouragement from his side's second half display and believes his team will continue to improve.

He said: "Today, like the other games, for me, the performances are good, very good, second half better. We have to play at the start of the game like the second half, but I think we can achieve this point.

"I think this moment, we can play very well but the results these last five games are not very fair, no?"

When asked about preparing to play City, De Zerbi said he had been 'struggling to sleep' this week and that he did not want to change his philosophy.

He said: "City are the best team in the Premier League. When City play I enjoy a lot [to watch]. For me, Pep is the best coach in the last part of history of the football.

"I don't want to change [my] idea and I can't change. But today I'm happy for my players, my team, and one game don't change nothing, no?

"I'm very happy for a time I will not play against Pep, because during this week I didn't sleep much. So next time I [will] take something to help my sleep."

Pep Guardiola showered De Zerbi with praise after the game for his tactical prowess and willingness to attack.

The City boss said to the BBC: "Brighton played man to man and it's not really easy, with the ball they are really, really good.

"We struggled a bit, it's one of the toughest games you could face at the moment but the three points after the defeat at Anfield.

"With the ball they have incredible quality and the two guys in the middle - they are a really good team."