Bodo/Glimt continued their fairytale Champions League debut with a stunning 3-1 victory over Inter Milan in Wednesday’s knockout play-off first leg, as Kasper Hogh scored once and set up two more.
The Norwegian champions had scraped into the knockout stage with surprise wins over Manchester City and Atletico Madrid in their final league-phase matches. On home soil at the Aspmyra Stadion, they added last season’s runners-up Inter to their growing list of European scalps.
Despite the defeat, Inter Serie A leaders under Cristian Chivu will back themselves to overturn the deficit in next Tuesday’s second leg at the San Siro after struggling on Bodo’s artificial surface in northern Norway.
Bodo, Europa League semi-finalists last season, now have a real opportunity to complete another major upset and set up a last-16 tie against either Manchester City or Sporting Lisbon.
The hosts took the lead in the 20th minute with a flowing team move, finished clinically by Sondre Brunstad Fet after latching onto Hogh’s clever flick inside the area.
Inter responded on the half-hour mark when youngster Pio Esposito swivelled smartly in the box and fired home, with the goal surviving a lengthy VAR review for possible handball.
The Italians nearly went ahead immediately after the restart as Lautaro Martinez saw a close-range effort bounce off the post.
Instead, Bodo regained control in the 61st minute. Jens Petter Hauge rifled into the roof of the net after being picked out by Hogh as Inter were caught short at the back.
Three minutes later, the hosts struck again. Patrick Berg’s delicate chipped pass released Ole Didrik Blomberg, who squared for Hogh to tap into an empty net and cap a superb individual display.
The Danish striker has now scored four goals in his last three Champions League outings, having netted twice against Manchester City and scored the winner against Atletico Madrid in the league phase.
Inter pushed late on, but Carlos Augusto’s blocked effort from close range was as near as they came as Bodo held firm to secure another memorable European night.
AFP
