UCL Playoff: Bodo/Glimt secure 1st leg win against Inter

Two representatives of the Serie A might be out of the UEFA Champions League before the round of 16 even kicks off as Inter Milan capitulated in the second half on a freezing night in Norway, losing 3-1 to Bodo/Glimt.

Christian Chivu’s men lost the tie many had tipped them to win when they conceded two goals in the space of three minutes in the second half.

The Norwegian side had breezed past Manchester City in the group stage of the competition at the Aspmyra Stadion, and the Nerazzurri came into the game with a lot of debate around their hosts’ artificial turf and the freezing temperatures.

Having secured a two-goal advantage in the Norwegian city, the  Champions League play-off second leg is expected to be a tough task for Inter, as the occasion got the better of them and has left them with it all to do in the second leg at San Siro next week.

The host went ahead in the 20th minute after a nervy start. Midfielder Sondre Fet scored a lovely goal that beat Yann Sommer.

However, their lead lasted for just ten minutes as Italian youngster Francesco Pio Esposito equalised. Carlos Augusto nodded down a Nicolo Barella cross for the lanky striker, who turned it in to restore parity.

Although Inter created several chances and controlled possession in the first half, they couldn’t get a clear-cut chance to turn it around, as their chances didn’t even lead to a serious attempt on goal.

They continued from where they stopped in the first half, and Lautaro Martinez hit the woodwork before Bodo goalkeeper Haikin saved a Carlos Augusto free-kick.

However, the hosts again went ahead as former Milan forward Jens Petter Hauge converted, punishing Carlos Augusto for gifting Bodo/Glimt the ball in a dangerous position.

They then put icing on the cake to make things quickly move from bad to worse for Inter as they got the third goal just three minutes later.  

Kasper Høgh had the duty of just a tap-in from close range after good work from Ole Blomberg.

Inter had to withdraw Lautaro Martinez as a precaution after the Argentina international felt an issue in his calf, and Marcus Thuram was brought on in his place.

Thuram and the rest of Chivu’s substitutes couldn’t offer more to at least halve their deficit, too little. Bodo went for a victory, a two-goal advantage heading into next week’s pivotal tie at San Siro.