Marco Silva’s Press Conference: Brighton vs Fulham Preview

Fulham manager Marco Silva addressed the media ahead of his team’s Premier League opener against Brighton & Hove Albion at the Amex Stadium. With the 2025-26 season kicking off, Silva shared insights on his team’s preparation, Brighton’s strengths, and the challenges awaiting Fulham in this highly anticipated clash.

Below is a detailed summary of the key points from his press conference, drawing from available sources and the context of the upcoming match.

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Fulham’s Strong Pre-Season and Squad Updates

Silva expressed confidence in Fulham’s preparations, highlighting their solid pre-season performance. The team secured four victories in five friendly matches, including a notable 1-0 win over Eintracht Frankfurt at Craven Cottage. A productive training camp in Portugal further bolstered their readiness, with a focus on defensive organization despite concerns over injuries at left-back.

The manager provided updates on player availability, confirming that Antonee Robinson will miss the opener due to a slower-than-expected recovery from knee surgery. Ryan Sessegnon’s availability remains uncertain, posing challenges for Fulham’s defensive setup on the left flank. However, positive news came with Rodrigo Muniz’s full recovery from an Achilles issue, as he scored in a pre-season friendly against Aberdeen. Harrison Reed and Timothy Castagne also returned to action, strengthening Silva’s options for the match.

Brighton: A Formidable Opponent

Silva was full of praise for Brighton, describing them as a “very, very good side” and “difficult to play against.” He acknowledged their quality across the pitch, particularly in midfield and attack. Silva noted the versatility of Brighton’s midfield, with players like Carlos Baleba providing stability and others offering top-tier quality through rotation. He also highlighted the Seagulls’ attacking line, which boasts pace and creativity regardless of who starts, and commended their goalkeeper for his ability to act as an additional outfield player during build-up play.

Brighton’s impressive pre-season form, with seven wins and one draw in eight matches under manager Fabian Hurzeler, was not lost on Silva. He recognized their high-pressing, attacking style and the boost from returning players like goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen and Tariq Lamptey. However, Silva also noted Brighton’s injury concerns, particularly the season-ending knee ligament injury to defender Adam Webster, which could impact their defensive stability.

Tactical Insights and Head-to-Head Confidence

Silva emphasized the tactical challenge posed by Brighton, describing them as an “offensive side” with quick wingers and a tendency to play with two strikers. He expects a tough, high-quality game, given the close standings between the two teams—separated by just one point in the Premier League—and their shared presence in the FA Cup Quarter-Finals.

Fulham’s historical edge over Brighton gave Silva a degree of confidence. Under his management, Fulham have won four of their five Premier League matches against Brighton, remaining unbeaten in the competition. However, Silva was quick to caution that past results do not guarantee success, noting Brighton’s recent five-game winning streak across all competitions following a 7-0 loss to Nottingham Forest. “It gives us confidence, definitely,” Silva said of Fulham’s head-to-head record. “But all those games were really difficult because they are a really good side.”

Silva stressed that Fulham’s strong away form—among the best in the Premier League—will be tested at the Amex, where Brighton’s home advantage and summer signings could play a significant role. He highlighted the need for his team to match Brighton’s intensity and exploit their own strengths, particularly through wingers Harry Wilson and Alex Iwobi, and striker Raúl Jiménez.

Ambition and Expectations

Silva’s ambition for the match was clear: “We are confident we can get the result, and clearly our ambition is to go there and to match Brighton, and to play the game to get the three points.” He underscored the importance of starting the season strongly, especially given Fulham’s challenging December schedule, which includes five matches against top-seven Premier League teams.

Despite some pessimistic predictions, such as one suggesting Fulham could struggle this season and see Silva sacked, the manager remained focused on the immediate challenge. He dismissed external noise and emphasized his team’s readiness to compete, drawing on their organized defensive structure and attacking threat to challenge Brighton’s rhythm.

Key Battles to Watch

Silva’s comments align with tactical previews indicating key areas where the match could be decided. Brighton’s Kaoru Mitoma is expected to test Fulham’s right-back Timothy Castagne with his direct dribbling, while Yankuba Minteh’s pace on the right could exploit Fulham’s weakened left-back position. In midfield, the battle between Brighton’s Yasin Ayari and Diego Gómez against Fulham’s Sasa Lukic and Sander Berge will be crucial for controlling the game’s tempo. Additionally, Brighton’s captain Lewis Dunk will need to contain Jiménez, particularly on crosses and set-pieces.

Conclusion

Marco Silva’s press conference painted a picture of a manager who respects his opponents but is confident in his team’s ability to compete. With a strong pre-season behind them and a favorable historical record against Brighton, Fulham are poised to challenge the Seagulls in what promises to be an exciting Premier League opener. Silva’s focus on matching Brighton’s intensity and leveraging Fulham’s away form sets the stage for a closely contested match at the Amex Stadium on August 16, 2025.