Brighton were left to accept a goalless stalemate against a resolute Tromsø side in the opening leg of their UEFA Conference League play‑off tie. The Seagulls, who were playing their first competitive match of the new campaign, appeared to struggle at times against a Norwegian outfit that was midway through its own domestic season.
As a result, Brighton now face the task of delivering a decisive performance at the Amex Stadium in the second leg, scheduled for next Thursday evening, where any victory will be sufficient to secure a place in the competition proper. Ahead of the match, manager Fabian Hürzeler had warned that midfielder Carlos Baleba would miss the trip due to a minor injury. Rumours have also linked the Spanish playmaker with a possible move to Manchester United, although his immediate future remains uncertain.
In the meantime, Brighton must turn their attention to their domestic agenda, with the first Premier League fixture of the 2026/27 season looming. The club is set to host Aston Villa at the Amex on Sunday, with a 2 p.m. kickoff broadcast live on Sky Sports.
The game itself featured several moments of drama. In the 29th minute, Tromsø goalkeeper Haugaard was called into action from distance after a long‑range strike from Brighton’s Rutter. The keeper managed to push the ball wide with his left hand, preserving the clean sheet.
Two minutes later, a corner delivered by Tromsø fell to Osman, who controlled the ball with his chest before unleashing a powerful volley. Haugaard reacted swiftly, parrying the effort and forcing another corner for the visitors. At the start of the second half, a set‑piece from Tromsø’s Gross found Boscagli in the centre of the box.
The defender rose unmarked but headed the ball over the bar, missing a clear chance in the 45+2 minute. Later, in the 49th minute, Tromsø launched a counter‑attack when Edvardsson’s pass reached Heine Larsen.
Although the ball appeared to be heading for goal, Brighton’s goalkeeper Verbruggen sprinted off his line and made a spectacular save to keep the scores level. Brighton’s young midfielder Ayari began to assert himself around the 54th minute, slipping past two challenges before attempting a shot that was comfortably palmed away by the Tromsø keeper. The Seagulls continued to press, and in the 75th minute a well‑timed cross from Cozier‑Duberry found Kostoulas in the middle of the penalty area.
The striker, who had come on as a substitute, headed the ball over from an excellent position, denying his side a vital lead. The final minutes saw Tromsø create a few more opportunities. In the 86th minute Vadebu found space after a defensive lapse by Vuskovic and cut inside toward goal, only to send his shot wide of the post.
Despite the flurry of chances on both sides, neither team could break the deadlock, and the match ended 0‑0. In the post‑match interview, Hürzeler told club media: "We anticipated exactly how Tromsø would set themselves up.
They were compact, defended in numbers and had a very capable goalkeeper. Their transition play was quick, and they blocked many of our attempts.
While we did create opportunities, we have to be content with a draw, even if it isn’t the result we wanted." He continued: "We had periods of control, but our possession lacked the speed required to trouble them. Tromsø defended admirably and produced two big chances on the break, which we need to guard against better.
Overall they were a tough opponent, just as we expected. Now we look forward to the chance to win the return leg in front of our own supporters. There are specific aspects we must improve against Tromsø, and we will need to raise our level to secure a win at the Amex." Looking ahead, Brighton’s focus will shift quickly back to the Premier League.
Their opening encounter with Aston Villa promises to be a high‑profile affair, with both clubs eager to start the season positively. Fans can watch the match live on Sky Sports, with the kick‑off slated for 2 p.m. on Sunday. In addition to the football action, Sky Sports is running a "Super 6" competition, offering a chance to win £1 million for free entry.
The goalless draw, while disappointing for Brighton supporters hoping for an early advantage, provides a clear blueprint for the second leg. The Seagulls will need to sharpen their transition defence, increase the tempo of their attacking play, and find a way to breach Tromsø’s disciplined back line. If they can translate the lessons learned from this first encounter into a more incisive performance at home, they stand a good chance of progressing to the group stage of the Conference League and then turning their attention to a promising Premier League campaign.