But the Seagulls head coach does not see that being an issue. Town have beaten five clubs above them in the pyramid – Plymouth, Cambridge, Burton, Luton and Southampton – to get this far. Nevertheless, De Zerbi admits that on paper his side have a huge opportunity to reach a Wembley semi-final.
Roberto De Zerbi said: “It will be a difficult game but I want (the) players to give 100% of possibilities. I want our fans to support our players because Sunday is a difficult game. We have to not think, ‘We are Brighton from the Premier League and Grimsby are in the fourth division’, because we would make a big mistake. We have to play seriously, because for us it is a big opportunity to go to Wembley.”
De Zerbu said there would be no lack of motivation among his squad.
Roberto De Zerbi added: “The players want to go to Wembley, the atmosphere inside the dressing room is as if we’re preparing for a normal game in the Premier League.”
