While the structure of women’s football has evolved immeasurably over the past decade, actual football has changed very little for talented midfielder Vicky Lozada. Her illustrious 18-year career spanned four countries and two continents, earning honors in all but one.

After returning to her native Barcelona, ​​she perfected the art of Passenacio. First moving to the UK with Arsenal in 2015 gave her a greater understanding of the intricacies of passing patterns. Now at Brighton, she’s learning how possession-heavy football can hurt a team under new coach Dario Vidosic.

Losada’s strength lies in ball control. she Marcia That upbringing has produced an intelligent playmaker who can call the shots from deep as well as influence further forward.

Her consistency has ensured she has become a mainstay under Vidosic this season, Brighton’s fifth manager since former England boss Hope Powell left in October 2022. Eventually, the Seagulls found a bit of stability with the help of their Catalan captain.

They have scored 17 points in their first 10 games in the WSL, their highest total at this stage of the season and just 2 points shy of their total in all of last season. Brighton have won as many WSL games as last season (five) and are up on almost every metric used to measure performance.

Only the WSL’s current top three rank higher in possession efficiency.

“Our performance gives us confidence that we can win any game,” Lozada said, relaxing in his chair in a conference room at Brighton Lansing’s state-of-the-art training facility.

“Since I’ve been here, I’ve always tried to be open to my team, trying to understand the different cultures and languages, and everyone’s problems. My experience is why they brought me here.

“The structure is more stable now and we are looking for the right people to fit in. You always want more and we are happy and doing well.”

Brighton have gone through a tough time and are used to looking back. The club has often been locked in a chaotic relegation battle and will barely survive the 2022-23 season. Brighton have not finished in the top six since 2021.

“We’ve improved a lot from last year, we look more consistent,” the 33-year-old continued.

“I’m excited about this year and I’m still excited when the results come out. I’d love to be in the top four with Brighton but I don’t want to say it too loudly, it’s really difficult. You never know and it’s good to believe, If you believe it, it will drive you.

“Now, anything is possible. But maybe in three weeks, five weeks there will be nothing. So we should focus on these games in a short period of time and make sure we get points from every game. We are in a very Good moment.” “

Brighton’s three defeats in the Women’s Super League this season have all come away from home, despite significant improvement. Vidocic’s possession-obsessed style has resulted in higher scoring averages, fewer goals conceded and more points per game. But Friday night’s game with Liverpool, live sky sportsraised a question.

How did Brighton put in an impressive display on the road?

“Sadly, difficult moments are always associated with defeats, but that’s how football is. You want to stick to what you’ve been doing and Dario really believed in his way. Six months later, everything was going great, But it was a little difficult at first like: “What’s going on? “

“He’s very demanding. He strives for perfection even though he knows perfection doesn’t exist. If the minimum he demands doesn’t exist, you have to get the basics right.”

Only WSL league leaders Chelsea have a higher shot conversion rate than Brighton this season, thanks in no small part to outstanding summer recruitment of Fran Kirby, Nikita Paris and Kiko Sek. Both joined the team to bolster their attack. Shared goals (roughly nine different scorers) became just as important.

Losada also played his part, creating 13 chances for his teammates, but it was his control of the midfield third that made the former Barca star indispensable in Vidosic’s progressive style. a key aspect of.

“I found a new way of playing, some different little details, but ultimately it’s about possession and pressing, wanting to be brave in attack – something I’ve experienced throughout my career.

“The strategy was a little different, and at first I thought: ‘Wow, is this possible?’

“After six months we know it can work. That’s the best thing about football, it’s not just one way. The definition of Dario is that no matter who you play against, he finds a way, without losing your identity.”

Losada has won so many times in her career that it’s hard to imagine she has much motivation left. But Losada’s ambitions remained unchecked. She still has more to prove and more to achieve, learning on the job and studying the best midfielders in the Premier League.

“What I’ll always have (as a dream) is to win the WSL but I want to focus on finishing in the top six with Brighton and then go for more next year. The results are coming but we’re not there yet. It’s all one process.

“I like control and these moments are so important. I like midfielders who not many people see – like Declan Rice at Arsenal – but when you take that player off the pitch, you You’ll see how the team suffers.”

Now the anticipation is coming. Brighton have nine points more than at the same stage last season, favoring the stability of positive connections on the pitch. Only West Ham United (10) and Manchester United (12) have made fewer changes to their starting lineup than Brighton’s 13.

Standard setting. objective outline. How high can the Seagulls fly this season?

Watch Liverpool v Brighton live on Sky Sports Football on Friday night; starts at 7pm