Brighton & Hove Albion’s quarter-final against Manchester United in the Emirates FA Cup brings back memories of the famous final between the two in 1983, but Seagulls captain Bruno is focussed on the here and now.
In what is their only final appearance, Brighton came so close to lifting the trophy when Gordon Smith had a last-minute chance saved, prompting that famous commentary line from BBC Radio Two’s Peter Jones: “and Smith must score”.
The Seagulls went on to lose the replay against United 4-0, with the tie at Old Trafford on Saturday night marking their first appearance in the last eight for 32 years.
Bruno said: “When you’re talking to Brighton fans, they remind you a lot about that final, but that was a long time ago.
“We have to be really focussed on the game and not think about anything else.
“If we over-think about what happened before, then it doesn’t help.
Nonetheless, Bruno knows what a return to Wembley, should they upset the odds at the weekend, would mean for everyone involved with Brighton.
“That would be unbelievable, to play a semi-final there; not just for the players but for the fans,” he said.
In what is their first season in the top flight since the campaign that saw them play under the Twin Towers of the old Wembley, this is Brighton’s second trip to United this term.
The Seagulls were unlucky in losing 1-0 on their first visit in November, in the Premier League, with the game being decided by a cruel deflection off Lewis Dunk from a wayward effort by United’s Ashley Young.
Bruno said: “We gave a really good performance, but it was just the small details that didn’t help us.
“I think, this time, we have to try to be clinical in their box.
“Our recent win against Arsenal helps because we proved that we can beat big teams.
“Of course, you have to respect your opponent but I think in playing against all the big teams, we’ve been trying to get the result and not have any fear in playing against them.”
Bruno has certainly given a lot to the Brighton cause since signing from Valencia in 2012, with the Seagulls eventually winning promotion from the Championship last year after several near-misses.
But the 37-year-old Spaniard is also doing plenty for the community around Sussex with his work for local charity, the Chestnut Tree House Hospice.
“I’ve been there a couple of times in the last few years and at Brighton, we try to help all of the charities around us,” Bruno said.
“Sometimes, it’s difficult to organise but lately, I met [founder] Jamie Westley and for the last couple of years, we’ve been doing more things for Chestnut Tree House and they asked me if I was happy to become an ambassador.
“I said ‘of course’ because it’s a nice thing. They’re doing a great job and they need a lot of support to get money to families who are in a tough moment.”
