The Seagulls closed pre-season with a 1-1 draw at home to Rayo Vallecano at the Amex. Joao Pedro converted a penalty and Danny Welbeck twice hit the woodwork for a home side who conceded a gift opening goal to the Spanish visitors. Lewis Dunk enjoyed his first appearance of pre-season and both James Milner and Igor got welcome outings for their new club in the later stages.
Roberto De Zerbi said: “We are starting I think the most important season in our career, until now. We have to be happy, to be proud, because we have the possibility to play in the Europa League and to fight another year in the Premier League. I think we can become stronger than last year. We lost Mac Allister and Levi Colwill but we brought new players. All of these are very good players. Different for (Mo) Dahoud and Milner because they are not so young. But Joao Pedro, (Simon) Adingra, Igor, have big potential and we have to find the balance between the players who played last year with me and the new players.”
