FK Bodo/Glimt sealed the greatest result in their history on Tuesday, stunning Inter Milan 2–1 at the San Siro to reach the Champions League last 16 with a 5–2 aggregate victory.
Holding a 3–1 advantage from the first leg in the Arctic Circle, the Norwegian champions struck twice after the break through Jens Petter Hauge and Hakon Evjen to silence the home crowd and book a tie against either Manchester City F.C. or Sporting CP in the next round.
More than 3,000 supporters made the journey to Milan to witness a landmark moment in their club’s debut campaign in Europe’s elite competition, a remarkable turnout for a side representing a city of just 50,000 people. With around 20,000 more spectators inside the San Siro than live in Bodo, the vast majority departed disappointed after Inter, who pulled one back late through Alessandro Bastoni, failed to produce the comeback their coach Cristian Chivu had predicted.
Inter’s exit dealt another blow to Italian football in Europe, with all four Serie A representatives in danger of elimination before the week’s end. Juventus F.C. and Atalanta BC trail Galatasaray S.K. and Borussia Dortmund respectively, and face daunting tasks in their return legs.
For Bodo/Glimt, though, it was a night to savour. Norwegian champions in four of the last six seasons, they underlined their growing pedigree and will pose a serious threat to whoever awaits next month.
As expected, Inter began on the front foot. Pio Esposito headed over early from a Federico Dimarco cross, while Dimarco himself saw a fierce inswinger tipped over by Nikita Haikin. Marcus Thuram also went close with a powerful long-range effort that deflected narrowly over.
However, Inter’s pressure became predictable, with a steady stream of crosses comfortably repelled by a disciplined Norwegian defence.
The breakthrough came in the 58th minute amid defensive confusion. Manuel Akanji, having only just returned after treatment for a cut eyebrow, inadvertently presented possession to Ole Didrik Blomberg on the edge of the area. Although Blomberg was denied one-on-one by Yann Sommer, Hauge reacted quickest to score his sixth goal of the campaign and spark wild celebrations in the away end.
Akanji struck the post soon after, but Evjen ended any lingering doubt in the 72nd minute, emphatically finishing Hauge’s incisive pass. Bastoni bundled home shortly afterwards, yet it proved little more than consolation.
Inter must now turn their focus to domestic matters. A 10-point cushion over local rivals AC Milan leaves them well placed in the Serie A title race, scant comfort on a historic night for visitors who continue to defy expectations on Europe’s grandest stage.
AFP
