AliousVerbruggen Speaks Out as Brighton’s European Dreams Crumble Despite Stunning Win Over Spurs
Brighton goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen has opened up about the club’s bitter disappointment after narrowly missing out on European qualification, despite ending their Premier League campaign in spectacular fashion with a dominant 4-1 away win against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday, May 25.
The emphatic result wasn’t enough to secure a European spot for the Seagulls, who finished eighth in the Premier League standings with 61 points. Hopes had lingered that a shift in other results — particularly if Chelsea had dropped to seventh and later won the Europa Conference League — could have unlocked an additional berth for Brighton. However, those scenarios failed to materialize, leaving the South Coast side on the outside looking in.
Speaking after the final whistle, Verbruggen admitted the team was struggling to come to terms with the outcome. “Today was a great performance,” he said. “But in the end, it doesn’t really count for much because Chelsea won, and that shut the door on us qualifying for Europe. It’s tough because every one of us wanted to be part of that journey again.”
The 21-year-old shot-stopper stressed the emotional toll of being left dependent on other clubs’ results, acknowledging that Brighton’s own inconsistencies throughout the season ultimately cost them. “It’s never ideal when your fate isn’t in your own hands. We put ourselves in this position, and that’s something we’ll need to reflect on.”
Still, Verbruggen was keen to highlight the positives and remained optimistic about the club’s trajectory. “We need a bit of time to process this, but there’s a lot to be proud of. We had strong moments, some big wins, and clear progress. Next season, we need to take those lessons, build on them, and aim higher. I believe we’ll come back stronger.”
With their second-ever European campaign now out of reach, Brighton will look to regroup over the summer and return with renewed determination in 2025.
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