Verbruggen relishing Tromso test

Goalkeeper says winning the Conference League is an ambition this season but knows they face difficult opponents in the play-off round.

Nick Szczepanik

2026-08-17T09:50+01:00

Bart Verbruggen kept another clean sheet in the friendly against Bologna. 📷Paul Hazlewood

Albion goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen says that Albion will be aiming to win the UEFA Conference League this season but acknowledges they have a tough task against Tromso in the qualifying round.

Three of the five Conference winners – West Ham United, Chelsea and Crystal Palace – have been from the Premier League and Bart believes that Albion can be the fourth. But first they have to get past one of the best teams in Norway, which will not be easy.

“They are only seven points behind Bodo Glimt, and we all saw last season what they can do in the Champions League," he said.

"It's really important for us to be very sharp and to show our best performance. If we continue to build on what we've shown this pre-season, then we have the quality to beat everyone.

“We have to be convinced of our own qualities, but it's definitely going to be a tough game. I've grown up on artificial surfaces, so for me it's fine. It will be a little bit different. But again, we have good enough players that will know how to adapt.”

Tromso play on an artificial surface at a ground 200 miles inside the Arctic Circle. “Obviously it's far away, but it's nice. This is why you want to play in Europe, for these experiences. It's a team that is in the middle of their season, so they are fit, they're in their flow. They are a good team."

“I think it's a nice opportunity to play to win a title. Obviously, we've seen the teams that have won it in the past, and, when we compare ourselves to those teams we are not less than them.

“So that's the aim, to win the competition. So, no excuses. But we have to go and win (against Tromso) and make sure we qualify and then we see the rest."

Bart Verbruggen made a crucial save in the second half against Bologna. 📷Paul Hazlewood

After playing behind Lewis Dunk and Jan Paul van Hecke for most of his Albion career, Bart will have to get used to at least one new central defender in front of him. Olivier Boscagli and record signing Luke Vuskovic started both games against Serie A opposition in pre-season.

“Since I joined Brighton I've played a lot of games with Dunky and JP. I think I even played over half of my professional games with JP. We've been playing together since I was 17.

“Obviously it's a bit of a change, but I played with Oli last season and played quite a few games already. And I think Luka and Svoboda have adapted really well, you could see it in the whole pre-season.

“We had clean sheets against Roma and Bologna and it felt solid. Obviously there are still little details that you have to get to know about each other, but time will do that for us and we will keep working on that. They are great characters and good players, so I'm not worried.”

Other departures mean that Bart is now one of the more experienced players in the dressing room and has been mentioned by head coach Fabian Hurzeler as one of the players who can step into a leadership role.

“Well, I'm just who I am,” he said. “I think I've always been quite vocal, and the older I get, and the more experience I get, I think it comes out of me more and more.

“It's true that we’re missing a lot of experience if you compare it to last season, but that also gives the chance for other boys to step up and show who they are and their personalities. I will take the role that suits me.”

Bart had very little to do against Bologna until forced into a spectacular diving stop from Nicolo Cambiaghi early in the second half and Jack Hinshelwood scored the only goal soon after. It was a good example of how goalkeepers need to maintain concentration during long periods of inactivity.

“Yes that's not always easy, but that happens when you play for a good team like Brighton,” he said. “So that's my job. This is what is expected from me and I'll try to do my best. Hopefully I can do it many more times in the season.”