Brighton’s Toughest UEFA Conference League Rivals: Ajax, Atalanta, Monaco and Trabzonspor

While the Champions League and Europa League take centre stage this week, Brighton & Hove Albion kick off their UEFA Conference League campaign.

The Seagulls secured their Conference League spot with a routine 4-0 aggregate win over Norwegian side Tromsoe as the south coast side seek to become the third successive Premier League side to win the trophy.

Chelsea breezed past Real Betis in 2025, while Crystal Palace got the better of Rayo Vallecano in Leipzig in the 2026 showpiece. Third time’s the charm?

Brighton will face the likes of Getafe, Monaco and Panathinaikos over the coming weeks in a bid to book a knockout stage spot. And as Fabian Hurzeler seeks to guide the south coast side to a first major piece of silverware, we run through the teams that will pose the biggest threat to the Seagulls in a bid to secure European glory.

Ajax

Ajax aren’t quite the dominant force they once were. After eight games, they find themselves in fifth in the Eredivisie. Even so, Brighton can ill-afford to underestimate the Dutch giants. Indeed, Ajax remains one of most recognisable teams in world football despite their recent issues.

They are undergoing a period of transition following the appointment of Spaniard Michel over the summer but the early results are a promising sign of things to come. Michel favours a 4-3-3 setup, and wants his team to dominate the ball. The Dutch side rank top for possession (64.1%) in the Eredivisie this season.

In addition, Ajax are creating more chances (18.5) and having more shots per game (23.9) than any other team in the division. If they can replicate these domestic displays on the European stage, then they’ll be one of the competition’s toughest teams.

Star player: Julian Brandt

Julian Brandt is yet to provide an assist for Ajax in the Eredivisie this season. It’s not for want of trying. The German, after all, ranks top for chances created (28) in the division. No Ajax player has scored more league goals than Brandt (4), proof that the 30-year-old has hit the ground running and then some.

Atalanta

The 2024 Europa League winners haven’t quite hit the height of their peak years under Gian Piero Gasperini. Atalanta kick off their Conference League campaign in 10th spot in Serie A, though they returned to domestic duties with a 3-1 home win over Venezia, a result that ended a three-match losing streak.

Now under the watchful eye of journeyman Italian manager Maurizio Sarri, the 67-year-old has experience in continental success having guided Chelsea to the Europa League in 2019. Like Ajax boss Michel, Sarri has favoured a 4-3-3 formation. Gone is the three-man backline that the Bergamo-based powerhouse routinely deployed under Gasperini.

There have been understandable growing pains adapting to a new system, but their recent victory over Venezia suggests that the team is starting to click under Sarri. If they can successfully adopt the more direct approach, then they will be a threat for any side in the competition.

Star player: Ederson

Ederson didn’t allow a failed move to Manchester United impact his performances. The Brazilian is one of Atalanta’s star players under Sarri. The all-action midfielder is the dynamic engine of Sarri’s midfield, able to mop up in front of the defence and aid with quick transitions.

Monaco

Another European giant that underwent a managerial change over the summer, Filipe Luis succeeded Sebastien Pocognoli at the Stade Louis II helm earlier this year. And the change has been positive. Monaco are currently top of Ligue 1 after the opening six games of the season having collected 14 of a possible 18 points.

Monaco are the only side yet to lose a league game in France’s top tier, and they’ve done so while implementing a rigid defensive structure. One of Monaco’s issues last season was their inability to keep opponents out. Luis has come in and tightened them up at the back. They’ve shipped just five league goals and are only conceding 13.8 shots per game.

Offensively, Luis relies on the full-backs to bomb forward in his preferred 4-2-3-1 system to overlap the widemen, who themselves are then presented with one-on-one opportunities to attack opponents. In the absence of Maghnes Akliouche, the Frenchman having departed for PSG, Russian Aleksandar Golovin has a greater role to play, and he’s maximising the creative freedom, evident in that he ranks top for both chances created (11) and assists (3) for the club.

Star player: Lamine Camara

Chelsea’s failed deadline day pursuit of Lamine Camara has proven to be Monaco’s gain. The Senegal international provides crucial defensive resolve alongside captain Denis Zakaria at the base of the Monaco midfield. The 22-year-old thrives in the role having made more tackles (29) than any other player in Ligue 1.

Trabzonspor

Trabzonspor is a hotbed of former Premier League talent. Mohamed Salah completed his move to the Turkish Super Lig side following his Liverpool exit, and joined the likes of Fabinho, Andre Onana and Stefan Savic at Papara Park. However, it’s been a topsy-turvy start to the season.

Salah chases an elusive European goal with Trabzonspor

Now under the watchful eye of new head coach Thomas Reis, Trabzon haven’t allowed managerial change to affect their campaign. Rather, they’ve thrived under Reis, who has overseen respective wins over Galatasaray and Samsunspor, in which Trabzonspor have scored seven and conceded none.

True to his German roots, Reis has implemented a high-octane, aggressive pressing approach in the opening weeks of his time at Black Sea Storm helm. They’ll be one of the tougher teams Brighton will have to overcome if they are to go the distance in continental competition.

Star player: Mohamed Salah

There was only ever going to be one contender here. Mohamed Salah has caught the eye following his move to Turkiye, scoring seven and providing three assists in the Super Lig so far this season. Reis grants Salah the freedom to cause chaos in the final third, and it’s a role that brings out the best in the Egyptian.