Brighton’s opening competitive match of the season ended in a 0‑0 stalemate against a resolute Tromso side in the first leg of their UEFA Conference League play‑off. The Seagulls, who were still finding their rhythm, appeared to struggle at times against the Norwegian club, which was midway through its own domestic campaign and proved difficult to break down. The draw means Brighton will return to the Amex Stadium for the decisive second leg next Thursday evening, where a victory will be enough to secure a place in the main draw of the competition.
The pressure will be on the home side to convert the chances they created in the first encounter into a winning result. Prior to kick‑off, manager Fabian Hurzeler confirmed that midfielder Carlos Baleba would miss the trip due to a minor injury.
Rumours have linked the player with a move to Manchester United, but for now he remains sidelined as the squad prepares for the upcoming Premier League opener against Aston Villa, scheduled for Sunday at 2 p.m. on Sky Sports. Key moments from the match were captured in the live commentary. In the 29th minute, Tromso’s goalkeeper Haugaard produced a reflex save from distance after Rutter unleashed a 25‑yard strike that forced the keeper to dive to his left, pushing the ball wide.
Two minutes later, a corner delivered to Osman resulted in a spectacular volley, only for Haugaard to intervene again and clear the danger, earning another corner for Tromso. The first half concluded with a near‑miss in added time when a corner from Gross found Boscagli unmarked in the box; his header sailed over the cross‑bar.
The second half saw more action: in the 49th minute Tromso’s Edvardsson threaded a ball to Heine Larsen, whose shot was comfortably saved by Brighton’s goalkeeper Verbruggen, who rushed off his line to make the stop. Five minutes later, Brighton’s Ayari, increasingly influential in the midfield, found space inside the box but palmed his effort wide after beating two defenders. In the 75th minute, a well‑timed cross from Cozier‑Duberry reached Kostoulas in the centre of the penalty area. The substitute headed the ball over the bar from an excellent position.
Near the end of the match, in the 86th minute, Tromso’s Vadebu found himself one‑on‑one with the goalkeeper after a defensive lapse by Vuskovic; however, he failed to convert, sending his shot wide of the post. After the final whistle, Hurzeler addressed the club’s media, saying: "We expected exactly how Tromso played. They defended well, very compact.
They had a lot of players in their box who blocked the shots well, and they had a really good goalkeeper and were good in transition. We created opportunities, but in the end we have to be satisfied with a draw, although it's not the result we hoped for.
I think we controlled the game, but we weren't quick enough in possession. We still had a few opportunities, but I think overall Tromso defended well. They had two big chances after transition moments where we have to defend better.
Overall a tough opponent, which is what we expected. Now we are looking forward to the opportunity to win the game in front of our own fans. There are certain aspects we have to improve against Tromso. Overall, like I said, they are a good football team so we will have to play on our highest level to win the game at the Amex." The manager’s comments highlighted the need for sharper ball circulation and quicker decision‑making in the final third, as well as tighter defensive organization during counter‑attacks.
Brighton will likely adjust their tactical setup for the return fixture, possibly introducing more direct passing to break Tromso’s compact shape and exploiting the width of the pitch to create space for their creative players. Looking ahead, the Seagulls shift focus to the Premier League, where they host Aston Villa in their first league game of the 2026/27 season. The fixture, broadcast live on Sky Sports, will serve as a benchmark for the squad’s progress after the pre‑season and the Conference League test. Fans can also engage with the club’s interactive promotions, such as the Super 6 competition offering a chance to win £1 million, which is open for free entry.
In summary, Brighton’s inability to find the net against Tromso was a disappointment, but the defensive solidity shown by the Norwegian side suggests that the second leg will be a tightly contested affair. The Seagulls must capitalize on home advantage, sharpen their attacking intent, and address the transitional vulnerabilities identified by Hurzeler if they hope to advance in the Conference League and then turn their attention to a successful Premier League campaign.