Brighton’s opening competitive match of the season ended in a 0‑0 stalemate against a tenacious Tromsø side in the first leg of their UEFA Conference League play‑off tie. The Seagulls, who were still shaking off pre‑season rust, found themselves struggling at times against a Norwegian outfit that was midway through its domestic campaign and already in good form. From the first whistle, Brighton appeared a little sluggish, their usual fluid passing often interrupted by Tromsø’s compact defensive shape. The Norwegian side set up with a low block, crowding the penalty area and forcing the visitors to play long balls and try to work the ball through tight channels.
Despite the lack of clear-cut chances, the home team showed great discipline, blocking shots and making it difficult for Brighton’s forwards to find space. Their goalkeeper was particularly impressive, pulling off a series of reflex saves that kept the scoreline level. The match featured several moments of drama. In the 29th minute, Tromsø’s goalkeeper, Haugaard, rushed out to smother a long‑range strike from Brighton’s Rutter, who had unleashed a powerful shot from about 25 yards.
The keeper managed to push the ball wide, prompting a corner that saw Tromsø’s Osman chest the ball down before volleying it, only for Haugaard to intervene again and force another corner. Later, just before half‑time, a well‑taken corner from Gross found Boscagli unmarked in the middle of the box, but his header sailed over the bar.
The second half offered similar excitement. At the 49th minute Tromsø pressed forward, with Edvardsson threading a ball to Heine Larsen. Although the flag stayed down, Brighton’s Verbruggen sprinted off his line to make a crucial stop.
Five minutes later, Brighton’s Ayari, who has been gaining confidence this season, found himself in a good position but saw his effort palmed away by the keeper after evading two challenges. In the 75th minute a brilliant cross from Cozier‑Duberry found Kostoulas, who headed the ball over from an excellent spot, only to miss the chance. Near the end, Tromsø created a golden opportunity when Vadebu, after a defensive lapse from Vuskovic, found himself one‑on‑one with the Brighton keeper.
He calmly slotted the ball past the line, but his composure slipped and he sent it wide, much to the disappointment of the home fans. After the final whistle, Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler addressed the club’s media, acknowledging that Tromsø had executed exactly the game plan they anticipated. "They defended very well, staying compact and having a lot of bodies in the box to block shots.
Their goalkeeper was superb, and they were quick on the break," Hurzeler said. He added that while Brighton had created a few opportunities, the result was not what they had hoped for.
"We controlled large phases of the game, but we lacked the speed in possession to break them down. Their defensive transitions gave them two big chances, and we need to improve on that," he explained. The manager also confirmed that midfielder Carlos Baleba, who was expected to miss the trip due to a minor injury, was close to completing a transfer to Manchester United.
Despite this, Hurzeler remained optimistic about the upcoming second leg at the Amex Stadium, noting that Brighton must capitalize on home advantage and deliver a decisive performance to progress to the main draw of the competition. Looking ahead, Brighton’s next challenge will be their opening Premier League fixture of the 2026/27 season, a home match against Aston Villa scheduled for Sunday at 2 p.m. on Sky Sports. The Seagulls will aim to bounce back from the draw in Norway, fine‑tune their attacking rhythm, and secure a win that will set a positive tone for the campaign.
In summary, the first leg against Tromsø was a tightly contested affair that highlighted Brighton’s need for sharper movement, quicker ball circulation, and greater composure in front of goal. The team showed resilience but must address the defensive lapses that allowed the visitors to create clear chances.
With the second leg looming, the Seagulls will look to translate the experience gained from this match into a winning performance at the Amex, ensuring their place in the Conference League group stage and building momentum for the domestic season ahead.