Brighton Held to Goalless Draw by Tromso in Euro Play-Off

Brighton’s European campaign began with a shiver rather than a spark, as they were held to a goalless draw by a disciplined Tromso side in the first leg of their Conference League play-off.

Facing a team already deep into their Norwegian season, the Seagulls looked exactly what they were: a side playing their first competitive game of the campaign. The rhythm was off, the sharpness missing, and a stubborn Tromso outfit were more than happy to drag them into a scrap.

Now it all comes down to the Amex next Thursday. Any win will do. But Brighton have work to do.

Brighton labour, Tromso refuse to budge

Roberto De Zerbi’s team had the better of the ball, yet clear chances came in fits and starts rather than in waves. When they did arrive, Tromso goalkeeper Haugaard stood firm.

On 29 minutes, Georginio Rutter tried to jolt the game awake, stepping onto a strike from 25 yards that fizzed low towards the corner. Haugaard read it early, sprang to his left and pushed it wide.

The save seemed to wake Brighton up. From the resulting corner, the ball dropped invitingly to Osman. He cushioned it on his chest and unleashed a fierce volley. Haugaard reacted superbly again, stretching out an arm to tip it behind and frustrate the visitors once more.

Just before the break, Brighton should have made that pressure count. Pascal Gross whipped in a superb corner in first-half stoppage time, picking out an unmarked Boscagli in the middle. The defender met it cleanly but directed his header over, hands to head as the chance went begging.

Tromso threaten as game opens up

If Brighton expected Tromso to fade after the interval, the script flipped quickly.

Six minutes into the second half, one simple ball from Edvardsson sliced through the Brighton back line and sent Heine Larsen racing clear. The flag stayed down. For a split second it looked fatal, but Bart Verbruggen surged off his line and smothered brilliantly, a huge one-on-one stop that kept Brighton level.

The scare seemed to jolt the Premier League side into life again. Ayari began to take control between the lines, demanding the ball, driving at defenders. He worked his way into the referee’s book, then moments later wriggled past two challenges and forced Haugaard into another save, the Tromso keeper palming his shot wide on 54 minutes.

Still, Brighton couldn’t land the punch they needed.

As legs tired, De Zerbi turned to his bench and almost found the breakthrough from it. On 75 minutes, Cozier-Duberry bent in a brilliant cross from the flank, picking out fellow substitute Kostoulas in space. It was the sort of chance strikers dream of: good height, central, time to direct the header. Kostoulas could only send it over, another groan from the travelling support, another let-off for Tromso.

Late scare underlines Brighton’s warning

Just when Brighton looked the more likely winners, the night nearly collapsed on them.

Four minutes from time, Vuskovic misjudged his defending and Vadebu pounced, suddenly clean through on goal. The entire tie seemed to hang in the air as he advanced. One touch, another, the angle opening up. He dragged his finish wide. Tromso’s bench held their heads. Brighton breathed again.

A 0-0 away from home keeps the tie in their hands, but it felt precarious by the final whistle. Brighton now must navigate their Premier League opener against Aston Villa at the Amex on Sunday, live on Sky Sports in a 2pm kick-off, before returning to European duty on Thursday.

The equation is simple: any win in the second leg and they’re into the main draw. The question is whether this slow, stuttering start sharpens them in time, or hints at early-season rust that could yet cost them.