Brighton were left to accept a 0-0 stalemate against a tenacious Tromso side in the opening leg of their Conference League play-off. The Seagulls, who were playing their first competitive match of the new campaign, appeared to struggle at times against a Norwegian team that was in the middle of its domestic season.
The result means that Brighton will have to produce a decisive performance at the Amex Stadium in the return fixture next Thursday, as any victory will be sufficient to see them through to the group stage of the competition. Before the match, manager Fabian Hurzeler confirmed that midfielder Carlos Baleba would miss the trip due to a minor injury, although rumors persist that the player is nearing a transfer to Manchester United. In addition to the European tie, Brighton are gearing up for their opening Premier League encounter of the 2026/27 season, which will see them host Aston Villa at home on Sunday at 2 p.m., broadcast live on Sky Sports. Key moments from the game illustrate how tightly contested the affair was.
In the 29th minute, Tromso goalkeeper Haugaard made a reflex save from distance after a 25‑yard strike by Rutter, forcing the ball wide with his left hand. Two minutes later, a corner delivered by Tromso fell to Osman, who controlled it with his chest and unleashed a powerful volley, only for Haugaard to react swiftly and tip the ball out for another corner. At the half‑time break, a corner from Gross found Boscagli unmarked in the box, but his header sailed over the bar in the 45+2 minute.
The second half continued in a similar vein. In the 49th minute Tromso launched an attack when Edvardsson’s pass found Heine Larsen, who beat the offside trap but saw Brighton keeper Verbruggen sprint off his line to make a crucial save. Five minutes later, Ayari, who has been growing in influence for the Seagulls, found space inside the box, evaded two challenges and then saw his effort palmed away. In the 75th minute a superb cross from Cozier‑Duberry reached Kostoulas in the penalty area; despite the substitution, Kostoulas headed the ball over from an excellent position.
Near the end, in the 86th minute, Tromso appeared to have a golden opportunity when Vadebu, after a defensive lapse by Vuskovic, found himself one‑on‑one with the keeper but failed to convert, sending the ball wide. After the final whistle, Hurzeler addressed the club 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 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 underline the tactical battle that unfolded.
Tromso employed a low block, crowding the penalty area and making it difficult for Brighton to find clear shooting lanes. Their goalkeeper, Haugaard, proved to be a key figure, making several reflex saves that kept the score level.
Brighton, on the other hand, struggled to transition quickly from defense to attack, often losing the ball in midfield before they could build a meaningful threat. The Seagulls did generate a handful of chances, but their finishing lacked precision, and they were unable to break down the disciplined Norwegian defence. Looking ahead, the second leg at the Amex will be decisive.
Brighton will need to improve their ball retention and increase the tempo of their play to catch Tromso off guard. The home crowd will provide a boost, and the team will be keen to capitalize on the advantage of playing on familiar turf.
With the possibility of a narrow win enough to see them through, the Seagulls are likely to adopt a more aggressive approach, pushing higher up the pitch and looking to exploit any gaps left by Tromso's compact shape. Fans can also anticipate Brighton's Premier League opener against Aston Villa later in the week. That match will serve as a further test of the squad's readiness after the European fixture, offering a glimpse of how the team will perform over the course of the season. Both games will be broadcast on Sky Sports, with the Villa clash kicking off at 2 p.m.
on Sunday. In addition to the on‑field action, Sky Sports is promoting its app for live streaming and offering a Super 6 competition where participants can enter for free for a chance to win £1 million. This promotional element adds an extra layer of engagement for supporters following Brighton's early season fixtures.
Overall, while the goalless draw may not have been the result Brighton desired, it provides a solid foundation for a decisive second leg. The Seagulls must address the identified weaknesses, sharpen their attacking edge, and take full advantage of the home support to secure progression into the Conference League group stage.