Tromso IL 0-0 Brighton ratings: Verbruggen spares Brighton blushes | OneFootball

Bart Verbruggen was Brighton’s saviour in a 0-0 draw at Tromso IL, his standout display preventing a damaging first-leg defeat in the Conference League play-off round.

According to WeAreBrighton.com, an Albion assembled for over £200 million faced hosts whose squad is valued at 13.2 million, in their first competitive outing of 2026-27 at the Romssa Arena.

Early in the second half, Heine Asen Larsen broke clear, Verbruggen narrowed the angle and diverted the one-on-one over the bar with his shoulder. In the final five minutes, Isak Vadebu scuffed wide after a Luka Vuskovic mistake.

Tromso goalkeeper Jakob Haugaard excelled too, pushing aside Yasin Ayari’s drive and clawing away Ibrahim Osman’s chest-and-volley, the pick of his stops.

Verbruggen was the only Seagull to merit a seven in the ratings, with most firmly in must-do-better territory.

Vuskovic was largely solid and a set-piece threat, Olivier Boscagli justified selection ahead of Lewis Dunk, and Ferdi Kadioglu struggled. Malik Yalcouye’s competitive debut arrived with Pascal Gross used as a number 10.

Up front, Georginio Rutter again looked ill-suited to the number nine role and substitute Charalampos Kostoulas headed wastefully off target. Amario Cozier-Duberry’s cameo underlined that he is not yet ready.

The Arctic Circle location, a third-generation pitch and Tromso’s mid-season rhythm all told against a Brighton side short of sharpness after five gentle friendlies.

Brighton may well improve at the Amex in the second leg.

Source: WeAreBrighton.com

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