Brighton settle for goalless draw with Tromso in Conference League playoff first leg

Brighton had to settle for a goalless draw from the first leg of their Conference League playoff away to Tromso in Norway.

The Seagulls, who finished eighth in the Premier League last season and open the new domestic campaign against Aston Villa on Sunday, created several good chances but could not find a way past Tromso keeper Jakob Haugaard.

Winger Ibrahim Osman -- making his Brighton debut following three loan spells away -- looked particularly lively during the first half, while Yasin Ayari also later forced another decent stop from Haugaard.

Tromso almost snatched a late winner on the break, but defender Isak Vadebu sent his shot wide as the tie went into next week's second leg at The Amex all square.

Luka Vuskovic had started in Brighton's defence following his club-record £46 million ($62m) move from Tottenham, while fellow summer arrivals Zadok Yohanna, Pascal Struijk, Costinha and Michael Svoboda were on the bench.

Midfielder Carlos Baleba, linked with Manchester United, has been carrying an ankle injury and was not involved.

Yankuba Minteh, who sources told ESPN was the subject of a £50 million ($68m) bid by Liverpool, is also out with an injury and did not feature.

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Head coach Fabian Hürzeler praised the Norwegian opposition, but said his team would need to play better when Tromso visit The Amex for the second leg.

"We expected exactly how Tromso played," he said, quoted on Brighton's website.

"They defended well, very compact. They had a lot of players in their box who blocked the shots well, and they had a really good goalkeeper and were good in transition.

"We created opportunities, but in the end we have to be satisfied with a draw, although it's not the result we hoped for."

The German added: "Now we are looking forward to the opportunity to win the game in front of our own fans.

"There are certain aspects we have to improve against Tromso. Overall, like I said, they are a good football team so we will have to play on our highest level to win the game at The Amex."

Information from PA was used in this report.