Brighton manager Roberto De Zerbi has given his thoughts on Wout Weghorst’s gamesmanship with Solly March ahead of the attacker’s missed penalty in Sunday’s FA Cup semi-final shoot-out.
After netting his spot kick, the Manchester United striker grabbed the ball and gave it what many have branded ‘the kiss of death’ before handing it to the Seagulls star. March blazed over his effort before Victor Lindelof struck home the decisive strike.
This prompted Weghorst to launch a full sprint towards the United fans in celebration, knowing he could potentially clasp hands on more silverware before his loan expires having lifted the League Cup in February.
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The Dutchman has since admitted he felt a hint of regret for his antics before March’s penalty and so decided to approach March to console him during the aftermath.
He said: "I walked to him [March] and said some things, but at the end [of the match] I went to him because I felt also a little bit sorry because obviously this was the one that they missed."
Brighton and De Zerbi were left crestfallen by the narrow defeat but the manager says he had no issue with Weghorst’s mind games. Speaking ahead of his side’s trip to Nottingham Forest, the Italian said: "It's football. I don't think he [Weghorst] did anything incorrect."
Speaking further on the incident, Weghorst explained: "Yes, I already said it actually before we started to some of the guys but nobody did it. I scored and then I saw the ball and tried to get a few advantages which could maybe help us win it."
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