Brighton Stumbles in Euro Bid with Tromso Stalemate
Brighton’s return to European action began with a cold splash of reality in Norway, a goalless draw against a disciplined Tromso side leaving their Conference League play-off finely poised ahead of the second leg at the Amex.
This was Brighton’s first competitive outing of the season. It looked like it. Tromso, already deep into their domestic campaign, were sharper in the duels, tighter in their shape and, late on, a missed chance away from stealing a famous win.
Roberto De Zerbi’s side still control the tie. Any win in Sussex next Thursday will be enough to reach the main draw. But this was no gentle warm-up.
Brighton huff and puff, Haugaard stands firm
Brighton saw more of the ball, yet the cutting edge never quite arrived. When they did find a gap, Tromso goalkeeper Jacob Haugaard refused to blink.
On 29 minutes, Georginio Rutter stepped inside from distance and let fly from 25 yards. It was clean, low and heading for the corner, but Haugaard read it early and sprang to his left to push the ball wide.
The pressure finally told from the resulting corner – or so Brighton thought. The delivery dropped to Osman on the edge of the box. He cushioned it on his chest and unleashed a fierce volley. Haugaard adjusted brilliantly, getting enough on it to divert the strike behind again. Two big saves in a minute, and Tromso were still level.
Brighton’s best opening of the half arrived in stoppage time. Pascal Gross, as so often, found quality where others found congestion. His corner picked out an unmarked Boscagli in the middle of the area. The defender met it, but his header sailed over when he had to hit the target. Tromso escaped, Brighton frustrated.
Tromso bite back after the break
If the first half belonged to Brighton’s pressure, the second half delivered a sharp reminder that Tromso were not just here to defend.
On 49 minutes, one straight pass from Edvardsson sliced through the visitors. It released Heine Larsen, who raced clear as the flag stayed down. For a split second, Tromso looked certain to take the lead. Bart Verbruggen read it superbly, racing from his line to smother the finish with a big, decisive stop. A huge save in a tight European tie.
Brighton tried to reassert control. Ayari began to pull strings between the lines, demanding the ball and driving at tired legs. He took a booking, then immediately showed the other side of his game, skipping past two challenges before testing Haugaard again with a low strike on 54 minutes. The Tromso keeper was equal to it, palming the effort wide.
De Zerbi turned to his bench and the energy shifted again.
Subs combine, chances go begging
Fresh legs almost broke the deadlock on 75 minutes. Cozier-Duberry, lively and direct from the flank, whipped in a superb cross from the right. It picked out fellow substitute Kostoulas in space, right in the heart of the box. The header was there to be buried. Instead, it flew over, another big opportunity passed up.
The longer the game went on, the more it felt like one of those European nights where one mistake would decide everything.
It nearly did – and not in Brighton’s favour.
With four minutes of normal time remaining, Vuskovic misjudged a defensive moment and Tromso pounced. Vadebu burst through, clean on goal, the home crowd already rising in expectation. He dragged his finish wide. A huge let-off. Tromso knew it. Brighton knew it even more.
All on the Amex – with Villa in between
The final whistle confirmed what the performance had hinted at: Brighton are still finding their rhythm. Tromso, resolute and organised, made sure every lapse carried a threat.
The tie now swings back to the Amex next Thursday, where Brighton will expect – and be expected – to raise the tempo. Any win sends them into the main draw. Anything less invites trouble.
Before that, the Premier League returns. Aston Villa visit on Sunday for a 2pm kick-off, live on Sky Sports, in what already feels like a demanding early test of Brighton’s depth and sharpness.
One game down, no goals scored, none conceded. The question now is simple: can Brighton turn control into conviction when the stakes rise on home soil?
