Pascal Gross has put Brighton and Hove Albion’s second leg against Tromso into plain language: it is do or die. Brighton go into the Conference League play-off second leg at the Amex on Thursday 27 August needing a win to reach the group phase, after a 0-0 draw in the Arctic Circle last week left the tie finely balanced.
That is why the fixture is drawing attention now. Kick-off is set for 7.30pm, and there is no margin for a repeat of the first leg if Brighton want to stay in Europe. Gross said there are no excuses in matches like this and stressed that the club wants to qualify and give its fans another European trip home and away.
The timing also matters because Brighton are coming off a 4-0 Premier League rout of Aston Villa on Sunday 23 August, a result that should have lifted confidence without changing the basic equation. The first leg was still goalless, and that means the home side must turn control into a result rather than simply rely on recent momentum. Gross also pointed to last season, when Brighton finished eighth in the Premier League, as part of the reason the club cannot afford to waste this chance.
There is, however, a small uncertainty over team news. Fabian Hürzeler said Georginio Rutter will face a late fitness test and suggested the issue is minor, but Brighton will not know until close to kick-off whether he is available. The club also has to absorb change after Carlos Baleba left for Manchester United in a deal valued at about £70 million, and Hürzeler said moves to other clubs are something Brighton must accept.
Before the football starts, the night will pause for Mike Bailey. A minute’s applause will be held before kick-off to pay tribute to him after his death at the age of 84 last week. For Brighton, though, the footballing task remains stark. Beat Tromso, and the club moves into the Conference League group phase. Fail, and the European run stops here.
