Chris Hughton says it would be foolish for his Brighton side to go toe-to-toe with Manchester City in the FA Cup semi-final at Wembley on Saturday evening.
The Blues are favourites to book their place in a first final since 2013, with Pep Guardiola's side on course for an unprecedented quadruple of trophies this season.
City have a game in hand over Premier League-leaders Liverpool and a Champions League quarter-final tie with Tottenham awaits them, with the Carabao Cup already safely in the trophy cabinet.
And Hughton says Brighton will be realistic in their game plan at the national stadium.
"I think it's foolish to go toe to toe and I'm not embarrassed to say you have to try to contain them," he said.
"They have too many options. If you feel you can take the game to them and play a very open game, they have so many strategies to open you up and that starts with a goalkeeper who can play a pass some 60 or 70 yards.
Manchester City squad to face Brighton in FA Cup semi-final includes Sergio Aguero
"The important thing is we stay in the game. Nobody knows at this moment how the game will pan out.
"We will want to start well because the last thing you need when you go into a game like this is to be very quickly out of the game. "You need to stay in the game but if we were to be concentrated and determined in what we do and have a good structure about us, you're reliant on City not having one of their better days.
"If we are defeatist from the moment we walk onto the pitch there is only one outcome.
"To give us any chance at all we have to be positive about the way we want to approach the game."
Asked if a game against City is the most difficult test in European football at present, Hughton responded: "Yes I think it is.
"They made seven changes (against Cardiff) and still had 26 shots at goal last night and had close to 80 per cent possession.
""At this moment they are one of if not the best team in the world with an array of players that are top players.
"They're not only technically gifted, they are a fit side and a very motivated side hence the reason why they are going for all four trophies.
"They are an exceptional squad of players which makes the challenge even bigger."
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