Brighton & Hove Albion’s pre-season friendly against Strasbourg took an unusual turn when the match was played behind closed doors in Austria. The Seagulls had to hastily relocate their training camp from France after discovering the booked pitches were damaged by helicopters from the G7 summit. The club’s decision to exclude fans has sparked curiosity among supporters, especially with the new season approaching after finishing 8th in the Premier League (53 pts, 14W-11D-13L, +6 GD).
Why was the match behind closed doors?
The game was originally scheduled near the Swiss border in France but was moved to Vienna due to pitch damage. Even in Austria, Brighton chose to play without fans, raising questions about the club’s pre-season strategy. Unlike other clubs, such as Sheffield United, who embraced fan engagement during their European tours, Brighton kept the match private, offering no official stream.
How did fans watch the game?
Some resourceful supporters used VPNs to access Strasbourg’s local streaming service, bypassing the club’s restrictions. The match, played in 35°C heat, featured a young Brighton side testing their mettle against a Ligue 1 opponent. Fabian Hurzeler’s team, now without experienced players like James Milner and Danny Welbeck, used the extended 120-minute format to trial 12 substitutes, including Under-21s like Freddie Simmons and Harry Howell.
What did we learn from the match?
Despite the secrecy, reports from The Argus highlighted Hurzeler’s focus on improving set-piece performance. The match also marked the return of Facundo Buonanotte, who played a role in the extended lineup. With the Conference League on the horizon, Brighton’s pre-season preparations remain shrouded in mystery, leaving fans eager for more transparency as the new campaign approaches.
