Bodo Glimt Reject Inter Pitch Complaints Ahead Of Champions League Playoff

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Bodo/Glimt head into the Champions League play-off second leg holding a 3-1 lead over Inter, with Kjetil Knutsen dismissing complaints about the artificial surface in Norway and insisting both clubs face unfamiliar conditions when the tie moves to San Siro for a place in the last 16.

The first leg in Norway saw Bodo/Glimt defeat Inter 3-1, with goals from Sondre Brunstad Fet, Jens Petter Hauge and Kasper Hogh. That result made Bodo the first Norwegian club to win a match in the Champions League knockout stages, further extending a standout European campaign.

Inter had raised concerns with UEFA about the synthetic pitch at Aspmyra Stadion even before the opening leg, and captain Lautaro Martinez then suffered a calf injury during the second half. The forward is expected to miss several weeks, adding frustration around the playing conditions.

Asked about Inter’s criticism during the pre-match media conference on Monday, Knutsen refused to be drawn into a long discussion about pitches or weather, stressing that Bodo/Glimt must not be distracted while preparing for the return game at San Siro in this Champions League play-off tie.

"There's nothing I can do about it. We must only focus on what we can control. City didn't even mention the pitch, and we are not used to the San Siro turf, either. I keep the focus on something else. To me, it's not smart to talk about other contexts that don't concern football, but what others do is not important to me. Focusing on surfaces, the cold, on other things... it's very not wise if you want to produce good performances."

Bodo/Glimt have already beaten Manchester City and Atletico Madrid during the Champions League league phase. If Bodo beat Inter again in Milan, they will be the first club from outside Europe’s top five leagues to win four straight European Cup or Champions League games against such opposition since Ajax achieved that run in 1971-72.

Bodo/Glimt are also on the brink of Norwegian history in UEFA’s main club competition. Progressing from this knockout tie would see Bodo emulate Lillestrom, who overcame Linfield in the first round of the 1987-88 European Cup, the last Norwegian team to advance from a knockout pairing at this level.

Bodo/Glimt Champions League style and Klopp influence

Bodo/Glimt’s intense, front-foot approach has drawn attention across Europe, with former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp describing their displays as crazy earlier this week. Knutsen has often mentioned Klopp as a major influence and sees similarities between Bodo’s structure and Liverpool’s high-energy model.

"It's a path we've chosen to take, and it's about a lot of things. It is a clear identity. It requires tough training, that you work on the field functionally and at high intensity as often as you can, Knutsen said of Bodo's all-action style. Also, the rhythm of the match will always be decisive in that regard. It is inspired by many, including Klopp and Liverpool, who we look to mirror in many ways."

While Bodo/Glimt still need to complete the job at San Siro to reach the last 16, the first-leg lead, their record against leading clubs and the clear tactical plan under Knutsen have already placed this Champions League run among the most notable chapters in Norwegian club football.