Brighton’s campaign in the UEFA Conference League began with a frustrating 0‑0 stalemate against a tenacious Tromsø side in the opening leg of the play‑off round. The Seagulls, who were playing their first competitive match of the new season, appeared to struggle at times against a Norwegian team that was midway through its own domestic schedule. The result leaves the Brighton manager, Fabian Hürzeler, with a clear task: secure a victory at the Amex Stadium in the return fixture next Thursday night, as any win will guarantee progression to the group stage of the competition.
Ahead of the match, Hürzeler confirmed that midfielder Carlos Baleba would miss the trip due to a minor injury, although rumors continue to link the player with a move to Manchester United. The Seagulls will also have to turn their attention to the Premier League shortly, as they prepare to host Aston Villa at the Amex on Sunday at 2 p.m., a match that will be broadcast live on Sky Sports.
The game itself offered several moments of drama, despite the lack of goals. In the 29th minute, Tromsø keeper Haugaard made a spectacular save from distance after a powerful strike by Brighton’s Rutter from 25 yards; the keeper dove to his left and managed to push the ball wide. Two minutes later, a corner was delivered to Osman, who controlled the ball with his chest and unleashed a volley. Haugaard again showed his reflexes, smothering the effort and forcing another corner.
The first half saw more chances. In stoppage time of the half, a well‑taken corner by Gross found Boscagli in the middle of the box. The defender was unmarked but headed the ball over the bar, missing a clear opportunity to put Brighton ahead. The second half continued with a series of saves and near‑misses.
In the 49th minute Tromsø threatened when Edvardsson’s pass found Heine Larsen. Although the flag stayed down, Brighton’s goalkeeper Verbruggen rushed off his line and made a crucial stop to keep the score level.
Mid‑field dynamo Ayari began to assert himself in the 54th minute, carving out space and taking a shot that was ultimately palmed away. Later, in the 75th minute, a brilliant cross from Cozier‑Duberry found Kostoulas in the centre of the area. The striker headed the ball over from a promising position, again missing a chance to break the deadlock.
Near the end of the match, in the 86th minute, Tromsø’s Vadebu found himself one‑on‑one with the goalkeeper after a defensive lapse by Vuskovic, but he sent his shot wide, leaving the result unchanged. After the final whistle, Hürzeler addressed the club media, acknowledging that the Seagulls had not lived up to their own expectations. He said, "We expected exactly how Tromsø 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." He added that while Brighton created several opportunities, the draw was a disappointment: "We created opportunities, but in the end we have to be satisfied with a draw, although it's not the result we hoped for." Hürzeler also reflected on the team's performance, noting that Brighton controlled large portions of the match but lacked the necessary speed in possession. "I think we controlled the game, but we weren't quick enough in possession. We still had a few opportunities, but I think overall Tromsø 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," he said. Looking ahead, the manager emphasized the importance of the second leg at home: "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 Tromsø. 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 Seagulls will need to sharpen their attacking edge, improve transition speed, and maintain defensive discipline to overturn the stalemate. Beyond the Conference League, Brighton’s immediate focus will shift to the Premier League opener against Aston Villa. The match, slated for Sunday at 2 p.m., will be streamed live on Sky Sports, offering the team a chance to bounce back from the neutral result in Norway and start the 2026/27 league campaign on a positive note.
Fans can also engage with the Sky Sports App for live updates and highlights. For those looking for additional excitement, Sky Sports is running a Super 6 competition where participants can enter for free for a chance to win £1 million. This promotion runs alongside the coverage of Brighton’s fixtures, adding an extra layer of engagement for supporters.
In summary, Brighton left Tromsø with a clean sheet but no points, setting up a decisive home leg that will test the squad’s resolve and tactical acumen. The manager’s comments underline the need for sharper execution and greater composure in front of goal. With the next match at the Amex only days away, the Seagulls must capitalize on their home advantage to secure progression in the Conference League and then turn their attention to a crucial Premier League opener against Aston Villa.