BRIGHTON’S big day was ruined as AEK Athens crashed the European party in Sussex.
Roberto De Zerbi’s side were given a stark lesson in what is needed to compete at this level as the 13-time Greek champions made the most of a string of defensive mistakes.
The day all Seagulls fans have been dreaming of since the end of last season got off to a shocker with an early goal from Djibril Sidibe.
Joao Pedro scored two penalties either side of Mijat Gacinovic’s first half goal, before Ezequiel Ponce plundered a late winner.
De Zerbi was without striker Evan Ferguson and captain Lewis Dunk, who will have been devastated to miss such a huge moment in the club’s history.
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Brighton’s story is a wonderful and romantic one, but the Greek champions weren’t content with playing along in the Seagulls’ big celebration.
Jesus Almeyda’s men were ready to rough up their usually stylish hosts and took the lead through a goal detail-driven De Zerbi will have hated.
Former Everton full-back Sidibe loitered on the edge of the box unmarked at a corner, drifted in while Kaoru Mitoma was looking elsewhere and powered a superb header into the top corner.
Brighton did not have their usual control, but a burst of chances brought about the first equaliser.
Debutant Ansu Fati saw a rasping strike tipped behind by Cican Stankovic. Igor Julio then headed agonisingly wide from the corner.
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Brighton had settled and were driving forward, forcing their way towards a leveller – though help was needed from VAR.
Pedro raced into the AEK box down the right and cut back looking to let loose an effort, only to be clipped and brought down by Ehsan Hajsafi.
Referee Kristo Tohver initially thought he had been deceived, initially booking the former Watford man for diving.
But a review was ordered and the Estonian official didn’t take long to realise his mistake.
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Having won the spot kick, Pedro converted confidently – firing low and left to claim his place in the Brighton history books with the club’s first ever goal in Europe.
They may have got things going at the sharp end, but set pieces were still proving a problem for the Seagulls, and Athens quickly struck again – leaving chairman Tony Bloom, the architect of his club’s fairytale, grimacing in the stands.
Hajsafi, who was later stretchered off with a neck brace following a clash of heads, whipped a deep free-kick over a high Brighton defensive line.
It sparked chaos as Jan-Paul van Hecke’s attempted clearance deflected off Garcia and onto the outstretched boot of Gacinovic past Steele.
The second goal was unfortunate, but the first half was a lesson in European street smarts from a far more experienced side.
But Brighton kept pushing and their new strike partnership of Pedro and VAR came up trumps again after the break.
The Brazilian striker wriggled past Damian Szymaski in the box and immediately hit the deck.
Again his appeals were waved away and again a review was needed, replays showing that Szymaski had in fact walloped Pedro on the shin.
The £30million man again sent the keeper the wrong way, this time finishing to the right.
He should have won it shortly after too, firing straight at Stankovic when one-on-one either side of chances for Mitoma and Pascal Gross.
It looked like a dream winner would arrive, but then the hosts left themselves uncharacteristically wide open again as Niclas Eliasson and Ponce were left with just Tariq Lamptey to beat and did so with ease.
The Seagulls could not make the most of 13 minutes added time, with Simon Adringra, Gross, Solly March and Van Hecke all going close, the final chance being blocked by one of their own in Igor.
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