Verbruggen expects testing Arctic trip as Brighton begin European campaign
The Dutch goalkeeper heads into Brighton’s Conference League play-off against Tromsø after keeping clean sheets in his final two pre-season appearances.
Bart Verbruggen believes Brighton & Hove Albion face a demanding start to their competitive season when they visit Tromsø in the Conference League play-offs on Thursday. The Norwegian city lies around 340 kilometres north of the Arctic Circle, adding unusual conditions to an already challenging away fixture.
The Dutch goalkeeper enters the tie in encouraging form after clean sheets in Brighton’s final two friendlies, against AS Roma and Bologna. He also expressed confidence in a reshaped defence following the departures of Jan Paul van Hecke to Tottenham Hotspur and Joël Veltman to West Ham United, with Luka Vuskovic among the new arrivals.
Verbruggen noted that Tromsø are already well into their domestic campaign and sit only seven points behind Bodø/Glimt. Speaking via Brighton’s official channels, he told Voetbal International that the match would be “difficult, also because of the conditions”, but said the squad felt ready after a positive pre-season.
The trip marks the beginning of Brighton’s second European campaign. Their first came in the 2023/24 Europa League, while this season starts with a two-legged Conference League play-off. Verbruggen and fellow Dutchman Mats Wieffer are then due to begin their Premier League programme at home to Aston Villa on Sunday.
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- Verbruggen maakt zich op voor extreme trip met Brighton: 'Wordt moeilijk'— Voetbal International
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