Simon Adingra netted both goals in the Premier League Summer Series encounter at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, as the Seagulls bounced back from a 4-3 loss to Chelsea in Philadelphia at the weekend. And the head coach admitted it was just what his players needed ahead of the 2023-24 domestic campaign.
Roberto De Zerbi said: “I’m really happy, really delighted for the performances, for the result, for the quality of play. It was a very tough game but we knew before the game Brentford is a very good team. And we need this game to prepare the start of the Premier League.”
Albion took the lead when Ivorian winger Adingra brought down Jason Steele’s long pass with a superb touch before beating Bees keeper Mark Flekken.
And after Frank Onyeka and Keane Lewis-Potter missed good chances to level, Adingra doubled Albion’s tally just before the hour, curling home a shot from Steven Alzate’s pass.
De Zerbi praised the 21-year-old,
Roberto De Zerbi adding: “I know the quality of Adingra, he’s another big player for us. I think we are building a very strong team, with many players in every position of the pitch for competition. We have to be ready to change many players every three days. Adingra, Ferguson, Enciso they are very young. We have other attackers, Lallana, Welbeck, Mitoma but we have to be many players because the season will be very tough.”
Chelsea transfer target Moises Caicedo made his first appearance of pre-season as a 65th-minute replacement for Alzate and De Zerbi reiterated his position on the Ecuadorian midfielder.
Roberto De Zerbi said: “I’m still happy when I watch the big player playing in my team and Moises is one of these big players, and I will like to keep him with me.”
Albion face Newcastle at the Red Bull Arena in Hamilton, New Jersey in the third and final match of their USA tour in the early hours of Saturday morning, before returning to the UK and hosting Rayo Vallecano at the Amex on August 6. They begin the new Premier League season with a visit from top-flight new boys Luton Town six days later.
